How a Person Becomes Muslim

All praise be to Allāh, the Lord of the universe. May peace and blessings of Allaa be upon Muḥammad, His last messenger. 

The purpose of this hand out is to correct a false idea spread among those willing to adopt Islām 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 reporting this act to courts of justice or other authorities. It is also thought that the act of accepting Islām, 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 Allāh, Almighty, is above all comprehension and knows well the secrets of all hearts. Nevertheless, those who are going to adopt Islām 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 Hajj (Pilgrimage to the Holy City of Makkah) and ‘Umrah (lesser pilgrimage). 

If anyone has a real desire to be a Muslim and has full conviction and strong belief that Islām is the true religion ordained by Allāh for all human-beings, then, one should pronounce the “Shahaadah”, the testimony of faith, without further delay. The Noble Qur‘an is explicit on this regard as Allāh states: 

“The Religion in the sight of Allāh is Islām.”  (Qur‘an 3:19) 

In another verse of the Noble Qur’an, Allāh states:

“If anyone desires a religion other than Islām (Submission to Allāh), 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).” (Qur‘an 3:85)

In addition, Islām is the only religion prevailing over all other religions. Allāh states in the Noble Qur’an:

“To thee We sent the Scripture in truth, confirming the scripture that came before it, and guarding it in safety:…” (Qur‘an 5:48) 

Muḥammad, the Prophet of Allāh (Peace and blessing of Allāh be upon him), said:

The superstructure of Islām is raised on five (pillars): 

1. Testifying that there is no God (none truly to be worshiped) but Allāh, and that Muḥammad is the messenger of Allāh, 

2.  Performing the prayer (meaning the formal obligatory daily prayer of a Muslim, other non-formal prayers are not obligatory and may be performed when the person wishes), 

3. Paying the Zakaah (poor-due, an annual 2.5% {amount varies depending upon what is the nature of the wealth, e.g. gold, money, livestock etc} portion of your wealth which is to be distributed amongst the poor), 

4. Fasting the month of Ramadhaan (fasting from dawn to sunset), 

5. Performing Hajj (a pilgrimage to the Ka’bah (sacred house built by Aadam and rebuilt by Ibraaheem) in Makkah, at least once in a lifetime for the person who is able to). 

The Shahaadah can be declared as follows: 

“ASH-HADU ANLA ILAAHA ILL-ALLAAH WA ASH-HADU ANNA MUHAMMADAN RASOOL-ALLAAH”. 

The English translation is: “I bear witness that there is no deity (none truly to be worshipped) but, Allāh, and I bear witness that Muḥammad is the messenger of Allāh”, 

However, it would not be sufficient for anyone to only utter this testimony orally either in private or in public; but rather, he should believe in it by heart with a firm conviction and unshakeable faith. If one is truly sincere and complies with the teachings of Islām in all his life, he will find himself a new born person. 

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 he becomes the embodiment of that faith. 

What would be next after declaring oneself a Muslim?

One should then know the real concept underlying this testimony which means the Oneness of Allāh and meet its requirements. One must behave accordingly, applying this true faith to every thing one speaks or does. What do the words of the “Shahada” signify? The significant point which every Muslim must know very well is the truth that there is no God (deity) to be worshipped other than Allāh. He – glory be to Him – is the only true God, Who alone deserves to be worshipped, since He is the Giver of life and Sustainer and Nourisher of mankind and all creation with His unlimited bounties. Man must worship Allāh, Who alone is worthy of worship.

The second part of the Shahaadah (i.e., Wa ash-hadu anna Muḥammadan rasool-Allāh) means that Prophet Muḥammad (sallallaahu ‘alayhi was sallam – peace be upon him) is the servant and chosen messenger of Allāh. No one must have two opinions about this matter. In fact the Muslim has to obey the commands of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi was sallam – peace be upon him), to believe him in what he has said, to practice his teachings, to avoid what he has forbidden, and to worship Allāh alone according to the message revealed to him, for all the teachings of the Prophet were in fact revelations and inspirations conveyed to him by Allāh. 

What is the meaning of worship?

It simply means rendering sincere service, showing reverence for Allāh. In a deeper shade of meaning, it implies total submission and complete obedience to Allāh’s commandments both in utterances and actions of man whether explicit or implicit. 

Worship fall into two categories: 

Visible (manifest or outward) 

Invisible (concealed or inward) 

Visible worship includes acts such as uttering the two parts of the “Shahaadah”, performing prayers, giving Zakaah (the poor-due), recitation of the Qur‘an, supplication, adoring Allāh by praising Him, purifying our bodies before prayers, etc. This type of worship is associated with movement of the parts of the human body. 

Invisible worship is to believe in Allāh, in the Day of Judgement (in the Hereafter), in the Angels, in the Books of Allāh, in the Prophets of Allāh, in the Divine Decree of destiny (that good and bad are determined by Allāh alone). This type of worship does not involve movement of parts of the body but it surely has bearing on one’s heart which subsequently affects one’s way of life. It should be bore in mind that any worship not dedicated to Allāh alone will be rejected as one form of polytheism and this causes apostasy from the Islamic fold (for the one who believes that worshipping someone besides Allāh is good and correct, the one who may have done this by mistake should immediately repent and seek Allāh’s forgiveness). 

The next step for a new revert to Islām is to purify himself by taking a complete bath. He should then resolve to comply with the principles and rules of Islām in their entirety. He should disown 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 Islām – that is, Laa Ilaaha Illallaah. (none has the right to be worshipped except Allāh) Allāh states in the Noble Qur‘aan: 

“…whoever rejects evil and believes in Allāh hath grasped the most trustworthy Hand-hold, that never breaks…” (Qur‘aan 2:256). 

We have to consider that when we declare from our heart that “there is no god (deity) worthy to be worshipped but Allāh”, it implies on our part love, devotion, faith and obedience to the rules of Islamic legislations which are legally binding on all Muslims. It is a requirement of “there is no god worthy to be worshipped but Allāh” to love for the sake of Allāh and to reject for the sake of Allāh. 

We conclude with a humble prayer to Allāh that may He cleanse the hearts and souls of those who are genuine seekers of truth and may He bless the community of believers. Aameen.