Starting-point for one who wants to enter Islam

Q: I want to know is there a starting point for a
man who Is interested in the true religion of Islam. I have been given
many different answers.

A: Yes, there is a very important
starting-point, which is to pronounce the Shahaadatayn (Declaration of
Faith). This is the only answer to your question. (For more details
please see the questions and answers under the heading: ‘Aqeedah (basic
tenets of faith) – important matters for those who wish to enter Islam.

We extend the warmest of welcomes to you, and offer our congratulations
for the new direction you are about to take. May Allaah protect you from
all evil.

Islam Q&A

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 face
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 the courts 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 evidence to that effect.

We wish to clarify that the whole matter is very easy and that none of
the above conditions or obligations are required. For Allah, the
Almighty is above all comprehension and knows well the secrets of all
hearts. Nevertheless, those who wish to adopt Islam as their religion
are advised to register themselves as Muslims with the concerned
governmental agency, as this procedure may facilitate many matters for
them including the possibility of performing Hajj and Umrah.

If anyone has a real desire to be a Muslim and has the full conviction
and strong belief that Islam is the true religion ordained by Allah
(SWT) for all human beings, he should pronounce the "Shahada" (testimony
of faith) without further delay. The Holy Qur'an is explicit in this
regard, as Allah (SWT) has stated.
"Truly, the Religion in the sight of Allah is Islam." [3:19].
{إِنَّ الدِّينَ عِندَ اللّهِ الإِسْلاَمُ}
Transliteration: 'Inna Ad-Dīna `Inda Allāhi Al-'Islāmu

In another verse of the Holy Qur'an, Allah (SWT) has stated:
"And whosoever desires a religion -other that Islam, never will it be
accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of those
who are lost." [3:85].
{وَمَن يَبْتَغِ غَيْرَ الإِسْلاَمِ دِيناً فَلَن يُقْبَلَ مِنْهُ وَهُوَ فِي الآخِرَةِ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ}
Transliteration: Wa Man Yabtaghi Ghayra Al-'Islāmi Dīnāan Falan Yuqbala Minhu Wa Huwa Fī Al-'Ākhirati Mina Al-Khāsirīna

In addition, Islam is the only Religion prevailing over all other religions, Allah (SWT) has stated in the Holy Qur'an:
"And We have sent down to you (O Muhammad SAW) the Book (this Quran) in
truth, confirming the Scripture that came before it and Mohayminan
(trustworthy in highness and a witness) over it (old Scriptures)..."
[5:48].
{وَأَنزَلْنَا إِلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ مُصَدِّقاً لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ مِنَ الْكِتَابِ وَمُهَيْمِناً عَلَيْهِ}
Transliteration: Wa 'Anzalnā 'Ilayka Al-Kitāba Bil-Ĥaqqi Muşaddiqāan Limā Bayna Yadayhi Mina Al-Kitābi Wa Muhaymināan `Alayhi

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, that Muhammad is the
messenger of Allah and His servant; performing the prayer; paying the
Zakat (obligatory charity); fasting the month of Ramadan; and performing
Hajj»

The Shahada can be declared as follows:

"ASH-HADU ANLAA ILAHA ILLA ALLAH WA ASH HADUANNAMUHAMMADANABDUHUWA RASUULUH."

The English translation is:
"I bear witness that there is no deity worthy to be worshipped but
Allah, and I bear witness that 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. One should believe in
it from the heart with a firm conviction and unshakable faith. If he is
truly sincere and complies with the teachings of Islam in his daily life
he will find himself a newborn 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 should 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 accepting the Oneness of Allah and the Prophet
Muhammad (PBUH), as the last of the Prophets, and meeting its
requirements. He must behave accordingly applying this true faith to
everything he says or does. What do the words of "Shahada" signify.

The significant point which every Muslim must know is the truth that
there is no god to be worshipped other than Allah, (Glory be to Him). He
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" i.e. "Wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan abduhu
wa rasuluh" means that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the servant and
chosen messenger of Allah. No one should be in any doubt about this
matter. In fact, the Muslim has to obey the commands of the Prophet
(PBUH), to believe in what he has said, to follow his Teachings, to
avoid what he has forbidden, and to worship A11ah 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, whether explicit or implicit and in
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 the 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 the 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
one's 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 amounts to
apostasy, from the Islamic point of view.

The next step for a devotee newly converted 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:
"... whoever disbelieves in false deities and believes in Allah, hath
grasped the most trustworthy handhold, that will never break..."
[2:256].
{فَمَنْ يَكْفُرْ بِالطَّاغُوتِ وَيُؤْمِن بِاللّهِ فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَكَ بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقَىَ لاَ انفِصَامَ لَهَا}
Transliteration: Faman Yakfur Biţ-Ţāghūti Wa Yu'umin Billāhi Faqadi Astamsaka Bil-`Urwati Al-Wuthqá Lā Anfişāma Lahā

We have to consider that when we declare from our hearts, "there is no
god 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 a 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 finest anchor of belief
which make material 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 the practices
of 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.