Question:
Salamalikum I wanted to convert into Islaam. please show me how to do it. Should I needed to doing rituals or mantr duwa? Originally I am hindu but Quran is an inspiration to me very much.
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
On the outset, we congratulate you on your willingness in embracing Islaam and we thank Allah the Almighty for guiding your heart.
Especially in these times with so many barriers placed in front of Islam and so many negative untruths spread about it, it is a great blessing from Allah that He gives specific individuals the ability to see the truth and light of Islam.
We must always be thankful to Allah that Allah has blessed one with this ever-important knowledge and understanding of His religion. By converting to Islam, the new Muslim has entered into a new realm that is most likely very different from his previous outlook on life. Perhaps most importantly though is that via Islam the individual has found the means by which the Lord will be pleased with him and he becomes pleased with his Lord.
One’s eyes opens up to the reality. What is the purpose of my life? How can I make the best out of it? What happens after death and how to prepare for the afterlife?
From the smallest particles to the big stars and vast galaxies, everything is running smoothly according to a perfect plan. The universe didn’t come into being by an accident and doesn’t run on its own. Common sense dictates that there must be a Creator behind this great scheme, and there is, (God Almighty, Allah), Who controls everything. How things in the cosmos can run so smoothly for millions of years without a supreme Operator to manage and regulate them?
Allah (the supreme Creator) is All Mighty, All Wise, All Powerful and Most Beneficent and Merciful. Whatever has happened in the past, whatever is happening now and whatever is going to happen in future – that is all in the complete control of Allah alone.
He is One, worthy of all worship and He has no partners. Time and space belong to Him and the past, present and future is all in His supreme knowledge and control.
Allah Almighty sent Prophets as guides to teach people the purpose of life and how to lead it. The prophets as role-models for mankind ideally demonstrated how to lead life. They taught how to achieve success in this temporary life and the eternal life of the Hereafter.
Muhammad (Peace be upon him, ) was the final messenger who was sent as a mercy to the entire mankind. He was a reformer, orator, commander, philosopher, statesman, administrator, and a revolutionary leader. Even his worst enemies attested to his honesty, and integrity.
The Holy Qur’an is a complete code of life and a living miracle across space and time. Hundreds of thousands of people, including small children, have memorized this book from cover to cover. Not a single word or letter in the Qur’an has been changed in the last 14 centuries! The Holy Qur’an mentions facts regarding the creation of the universe, birth of human being, formation of clouds, movement of sun and moon in orbits and other scientific facts which were not known to mankind at the time of its revelation. This proves that it is a direct word of God Almighty Who not only has complete and total knowledge, but is the very source of knowledge.
This life is a one-time opportunity to achieve everlasting happiness in the Hereafter. Every moment has a great potential if positively used to raise status and rank in the sight of our Creator. Strong faith and good deeds bring peace and comfort in this life, in the grave and in the Hereafter.
This world is but a station, not the destination. It is a place where we are sent to be tested. It is not a place to become lost in its wonders and temptations and be inactive, lazy or lethargic. “So did you think that We created you for nothing, and that you will not be brought back to us?” [The Quraan 23:115]
Islam gives a second chance to every human being to bring his life back on track, find the way to salvation and to prepare for Paradise.
Embracing Islam washes away all previous sins. The basic beliefs one is required to accept while entering the fold of Islam are as following:
1) Allah is one. He has neither a partner, nor a son or daughter. He is One without anything or being absolutely and there is no room for the concept of trinity, or for any other form of polytheism nor monotheism.
2) The Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) is the last Messenger of Allah after whom no Messenger or Prophet will come. All his teachings are true and must be followed.
3) The Holy Qur’an is the last of the divine books revealed upon the blessed Messenger of Allah(Peace be Upon Him), and all its contents are true and final.
4) The life in the Hereafter (after death) is eternal, where one will face the fate of his good and evil deeds.
When an individual accepts these fundamental beliefs of Islam from the depth of his heart, and rejects those beliefs of his former faith that contradict Islamic beliefs, then he will be considered a Muslim.
Therefore, if you are convinced of the basic and essential beliefs of Islam, then you are already considered a believer according to Allah Almighty. However, for you to be considered a believer in this world, you must confess and express your beliefs by saying the Shahadah.
Conversion to Islam is very simple and has no particular procedure, like baptism, hinduism etc. It is not necessary that one seeks the mediation of a saint or priest, nor is it a pre-requisite to go to a mosque or to an institution for accepting Islam. One can accept Islam on his own. However, it is advisable to go to a learned Muslim (preferably a scholar) who can inform you about the basic beliefs of Islam and can teach you the concise and comprehensive words to express the acceptance of those beliefs.
A person would simply repeat the following statement (Kalimah) while believing it in one’s heart:
‘ASH HADU AL LA ILAHA ILLALLAH WA ASH HADU ANNA MUHAMMADAN ABDUHU WA RASULUH’.
Translation – ‘I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad (Blessing and Pease of Allah be upon him) is Allah’s Servant and Messenger’.
While one can embrace Islaam on their own, we recommend that you go to your local Masjid and meet with the Imam to accept Islaam.
Lastly, we advise that you do not delay in embracing Islaam. Undoubtedly, this step will be the greatest thing that you will ever have experienced in your life. Surely you will not regret it at all and Allah will help you to overcome the difficulties you perhaps may face after accepting Islam, maybe from a relative or family member or some friends.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best.
Mufti Arshad Ali
Darul Iftaa, Jaamia Madinatul Uloom (Trinidad)
