| 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."
[Qur'an 3:19]
"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)."
[Qur'an 3:85]
The Shahada can be declared as follows:
"I BEAR WITNESS
THAT THERE IS NO GOD WORTHY OF WORSHIP EXCEPT ALLAH.
I BEAR WITNESS THAT MUHAMMAD IS HIS SERVANT AND LAST MESSENGER."
Transliterated in Arabic:
"ASH'HADU AN
LA'ILAHA ILLA ALLAH WAASH'HADU ANNA MUHAMMMADAN RASOOLULLAH"
However, it would not be sufficient for
anyone to only utter this testimony oraly 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 Islam 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 Allah 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 to be worshipped other than Allah. 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 Allah, Who alone is worthy of worship.
The second part of the Shahada means
that Prophet Mohammad (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 practice
his teachings, to avoid what he has forbidden, and to worship Allah 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 Allah.
The next step for a newly revert to Islam
is to purify himself by taking a complete bath. He should then resolve to
comply with the principles and rules of Islam 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 equisites of the motto of Islam - that
is, Laa Ilaha Illallah (first part of the Shahada).
Allah states in the Holy Qur'an:
"... whoever rejects evil and
believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy Hand-hold, that never breaks..."
[Qur'an 2:256] |
