Muslims, How do I convert to Islam?

Salaam (Peace)

Step 1:

Review the five pillars of Islam: testifying that there is only one God and Muhammad is his prophet; praying five times a day; fasting for the month of Ramadan; offering charity each year; and making the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in your lifetime. Affirm these to yourself.

Familiarize yourself with the various strains of Islam. Sunnis, Shias, and Ismailis are all Muslim but have slightly different core beliefs or aqeedah. Because Sunnis make up roughly 85 percent of the world’s Muslim population, this represents a sort of default option for conversion.

Step 2:

Sitting quietly by yourself, make your intention, either silently or out loud, to convert to Islam to please God alone, not for personal gain or to please other people.

If someone is pressuring you to convert to Islam—for example a spouse or a boyfriend/girlfriend, remind him or her that according to Islamic law, a conversion without inner conviction is morally meaningless and religiously invalid.

Step 3:

Read out loud this statement in Arabic: “Ash-shadu an laa ill-laaha illa-lah.” This means in English: “I testify there is no God but God.”

While many converts like to profess their new faith in a mosque and/or in the presence of other Muslims, witnesses are not required. You can become Muslim by yourself at home.

Step 4:

Read aloud this statement: “Wa ash-shadu anna Muhammadun-a rasuulu-lah.” This means “And I testify that Muhammad is the prophet of God.”

Step 5:

Repeat Steps 3 and 4. These two statements are known as the shahadah, or testament of faith, and they comprise the first pillar of Islam.

Saying the shahadah in Arabic is required, but it might also help to repeat the statements in your native language.

Step 6:

Take a shower or bath, completely immersing your hair and body. With this washing, you are shedding all of the sins you may have committed before becoming Muslim.

Step 7:

Accept God’s mercy in forgiving all your past sins. It’s part of the gift of becoming Muslim.

Step 8:

Use this time to pray for others. God says the prayer of a new convert is likely to be accepted.

Step 9:

Begin to practice the other pillars of Islam as soon as you are ready. Most immediately, this means offering the five daily prayers.

When you decide to make the pilgrimage, or hajj, another of Islam’s pillars, you might need your local mosque to write a letter certifying that you are now Muslim, as only Muslims are allowed in the city of Mecca.

Step 10:

Some converts like to start using an Arabic name in addition to or instead of their given name. Changing your name, however, is not required.

While you will need to master a small amount of Arabic to correctly say the daily prayers, learning Arabic is not required.

Step 11:

When you are ready, begin to tell your friends, family, and co-workers that you have embraced Islam. Be patient with them if they express alarm or hostility. Don’t forget that there was a time when you, too, knew little about Islam.

Step 12:

Gradually incorporate other aspects of Islam into your life, whether that means dressing more modestly, reading the Quran, or visiting the mosque. While you may be tempted to completely change your lifestyle right away, realize that making slow, deliberate changes will serve you better in the long run.

In the West, some of the most prominent Muslim are converts, including Yusuf Islam, formerly known as Cat Stevens, and boxing champion Muhammad Ali.

I hope I have been some help.

Walaikum Salaam (and peace be upon you)

1

This Site Might Help You.

RE:

Muslims, How do I convert to Islam?

after talking to a couple of users (Hamza ibn Awad and PathOfTheJust) I have decided to convert to Islam.

I live in chicago and I have a mosque 2 blocks away. What are some things I should do before I say my public shahada? Are there things i should memorize? what should I expect after I become...

If you pick to find out Chinese then you should know that Chinese language is without a doubt one of the hardest languages for westerners to learn, and up until now studying to speak Chinese to a degree of proficiency outside of the classroom atmosphere has been virtually extremely hard but not if you select a course

That's good!

Firstly, visit your local mosque and talk to the imam :)

Now start by reading the Qur'an translation (if you haven't already), and just go through understanding it: http://dar-us-salam.com/TheNobleQuran/

Then go to learn the basics of Islam (e.g. 5 pillars): http://www.islam101.com/dawah/pillars.html

You will have to do the Shahadah, which is one of the 5 Pillars, which means to declare the belief of the oneness of Allah and acceptance that Muhammad (pbuh) is His messenger. I'll write it here in Arabic, since you'll have to say it in Arabic too :) ... "La ilaha ilallah, Muhammad an rasul'ullah" (There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger)

Take a look at some Islamic websites before you convert:

http://www.islam4theworld.net/

http://islam101.net/

http://www.beautifulislam.net/index.shtml

Also look at Youtube videos, they are really helpful if you want to convert - type in 'Converts', and it mostly is Islam. Memorize Arabic, and what you have to recite in your daily prayers. You should definitely find inner peace after you become a Muslim.. oh make sure you say your Shahadah at your local Masjid, so all the brothers can welcome you and give you any comments!

Also see these:

http://www.dayofjudgment.com/judgment1.html

http://www.paradiseinthequran.com/

Al7amdulillah.

There is a great Muslim community in Chicago!

Go to the masjid (mosque) and tell the sheikh/imam you want to convert. Either you can bring 2 witnesses (male; or 1 male and 2 female). If you don't have a preference for witnesses insha'Allah they will provide them from people in the masjid. On the day you decide to perform your shahadah (declaration of faith) you will take a shower before you go and make the intention in your heart. You don't have to memorize anything you will just repeat after the sheikh and he will describe to you what you will be saying. You will be Muslim immediately after.

I highly suggest that when you do convert you get a certification that says you are Muslim. The reason is that when you decide to go to Saudi for hajj or umrah you will have to send your certification of conversion along with your passport to Saudi Embassy in your region so they will stamp your passport "Muslim" (as you might know only Muslims will got to Mecca).

This can be done later but it is easiest to have it done right there while you are converting.

Many many congratulations on your decision.

After you convert, insha'Allah, don't hesitate to stay in contact with the sheikh and the Muslim community to help you learn about Islam.

2

Dear muslims :

Over the years, we tried to create humanitarian face from Islam

op #keepislampure

Hope for change and a better future

unfortunately all efforts led to the failure

islam ideology is inherently hospitalized for brutality

as we know, freedom is an undeniable logic and an unavoidable destination for the humanity so..

one day somebody's gonna have to make a stand. one day somebody's gonna have to say "enough"...

enough barbarism ..

enough slavery..

enough Child abuse.

shall we play A game?

verses from the quran

إِنَّمَا جَزَاء الَّذِينَ يُحَارِبُونَ اللّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَيَسْعَوْنَ فِي الأَرْضِ فَسَادًا أَن يُقَتَّلُواْ أَوْ يُصَلَّبُواْ أَوْ تُقَطَّعَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَأَرْجُلُهُم مِّنْ خِلافٍ أَوْ يُنفَوْاْ مِنَ الأَرْضِ ذَلِكَ لَهُمْ خِزْيٌ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَلَهُمْ فِي الآخِرَةِ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ .. مائده/33

The reward of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger and strive to create disorder in the land is only this that they be slain or crucified or their hands and their feet be cut off on alternate sides, or they be expelled from the land. That shall be a disgrace for them in this world, and in the Hereafter they shall have a great punishment

فَإِذا لَقِيتُمُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا فَضَرْبَ الرِّقَابِ حَتَّى إِذَا أَثْخَنتُمُوهُمْ فَشُدُّوا الْوَثَاقَ فَإِمَّا مَنًّا بَعْدُ وَإِمَّا فِدَاء حَتَّى تَضَعَ الْحَرْبُ أَوْزَارَهَا ذَلِكَ وَلَوْ يَشَاءُ اللَّهُ لَانتَصَرَ مِنْهُمْ وَلَكِن لِّيَبْلُوَ بَعْضَكُم بِبَعْضٍ وَالَّذِينَ قُتِلُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَلَن يُضِلَّ أَعْمَالَهُمْ ..محمد/4

And when you meet e those who disbelieve, smite their necks; and, when you have overcome them, bind fast the fetters — then afterwards either release them as a favour or by taking ransom — until the war lays down its burdens. That is the ordinance. And if Allah had so pleased, He could have punished them Himself, but He has willed that He may try some of you by others. And those who are killed in the way of Allah — He will never render their works vain.

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ قَاتِلُواْ الَّذِينَ يَلُونَكُ�� مِّنَ الْكُفَّارِ وَلْيَجِدُواْ فِيكُمْ غِلْظَةً وَاعْلَمُواْ أَنَّ اللّهَ مَعَ الْمُتَّقِينَ ..توبه/123

O ye who believe! fight such of the disbelievers as are near to you and let them find savageryin you; and know that Allah is with the righteous

وَقَالَتِ الْيَهُودُ عُزَيْرٌ ابْنُ اللّهِ وَقَالَتْ النَّصَارَى الْمَسِيحُ ابْنُ اللّهِ ذَلِكَ قَوْلُهُم بِأَفْوَاهِهِمْ يُضَاهِؤُونَ قَوْلَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ مِن قَبْلُ قَاتَلَهُمُ اللّهُ أَنَّى يُؤْفَكُونَ" ..توبه/30

And the Jews say, Ezra is the son of Allah, and the Christians say, the Messiah is the son of Allah; that is what they say with their mouths. They imitate the saying of those who disbelieved before them. Allah’s curse be on them! How are they turned away!

"قَاتِلُواْ الَّذِينَ لاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللّهِ وَلاَ بِالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ وَلاَ يُحَرِّمُونَ مَا حَرَّمَ اللّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ وَلاَ يَدِينُونَ دِينَ الْحَقِّ مِنَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ الْكِتَابَ حَتَّى يُعْطُواْ الْجِزْيَةَ عَن يَدٍ وَهُمْ صَاغِرُونَ" ..توبه/29

Fight those from among the People of the Book who believe not in Allah, nor in the Last Day, nor hold as unlawful what Allah and His Messenger have declared to be unlawful, nor follow the true religion, until they pay the tax with their own hand and acknowledge their subjection.

"يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ إِنَّمَا الْمُشْرِكُونَ نَجَسٌ فَلاَ يَقْرَبُواْ الْمَسْجِدَ الْحَرَامَ بَعْدَ عَامِهِمْ هَذَا وَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ عَيْلَةً فَسَوْفَ يُغْنِيكُمُ اللّهُ مِن فَضْلِهِ إِن شَاء إِنَّ اللّهَ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيم "..توبه/28

O ye who believe! surely, the unbelievers are unclean. So they shall not approach the Sacred Mosque after this year of theirs. And if you fear poverty, Allah will enrich you out of His bounty, if He pleases. Surely, Allah is All-Knowing, Wise.

فَإِذَا انسَلَخَ الأَشْهُرُ الْحُرُمُ فَاقْتُلُواْ الْمُشْرِكِينَ حَيْثُ وَجَدتُّمُوهُمْ وَخُذُوهُمْ وَاحْصُرُوهُمْ وَاقْعُدُواْ لَهُمْ كُلَّ مَرْصَدٍ فَإِن تَابُواْ وَأَقَامُواْ الصَّلاَةَ وَآتَوُاْ الزَّكَاةَ فَخَلُّواْ سَبِيلَهُمْ إِنَّ اللّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ ..توبه/5

And when the forbidden months have passed, kill the unbelievers wherever you find them and take them prisoners, and beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them at every place of ambush. But if they repent and observe Prayer and pay the Zakat, then leave their way free. Surely, Allah is Most Forgiving, Merciful.

وَاللاَّتِي يَأْتِينَ الْفَاحِشَةَ مِن نِّسَآئِكُمْ فَاسْتَشْهِدُواْ عَلَيْهِنَّ أَرْبَعةً مِّنكُمْ فَإِن شَهِدُواْ فَأَمْسِكُوهُنَّ فِي الْبُيُوتِ حَتَّىَ يَتَوَفَّاهُنَّ الْمَوْتُ أَوْ يَجْعَلَ اللّهُ لَهُنَّ سَبِيلًا ..نساء/15

And those of your women who are guilty of lewdness — call to witness four of you against them; and if they bear witness, then confine them to the houses until death overtake them or Allah open for them a way.

وَاللَّذَانَ يَأْتِيَانِهَا مِنكُمْ فَآذُوهُمَا فَإِن تَابَا وَأَصْلَحَا فَأَعْرِضُواْ عَنْهُمَا إِنَّ اللّهَ كَانَ تَوَّابًا رَّحِيمًا ..نساء/16..

And if two men from among you are guilty of it, punish them both. And if they repent and amend, then leave them alone; surely, Allah is Oft-Returning with compassion and is Merciful.

طلاق / 4

وَاللَّائِي يَئِسْنَ مِنَ الْمَحِيضِ مِن نِّسَائِكُمْ إِنِ ارْتَبْتُمْ فَعِدَّتُهُنَّ ثَلَاثَةُ أَشْهُرٍ وَاللَّائِي لَمْ يَحِضْنَ وَأُوْلَاتُ الْأَحْمَالِ أَجَلُهُنَّ أَن يَضَعْنَ حَمْلَهُنَّ وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِ يُسْرًا

And those of your women as have passed the age of monthly courses, for them the 'Iddah (prescribed period), if you have doubts (about their periods), is three months, and for those who have no courses [(i.e. they are still immature) their 'Iddah (prescribed period) is three months likewise, except in case of death] . And for those who are pregnant (whether they are divorced or their husbands are dead), their 'Iddah (prescribed period) is until they deliver (their burdens), and whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make his matter easy for him.

بقره/ 221

وَلاَ تَنكِحُواْ الْمُشْرِكَاتِ حَتَّى يُؤْمِنَّ وَلأَمَةٌ مُّؤْمِنَةٌ خَيْرٌ مِّن مُّشْرِكَةٍ وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَتْكُمْ وَلاَ تُنكِحُواْ الْمُشِرِكِينَ حَتَّى يُؤْمِنُواْ وَلَعَبْدٌ مُّؤْمِنٌ خَيْرٌ مِّن مُّشْرِكٍ وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَكُمْ أُوْلَـئِكَ يَدْعُونَ إِلَى النَّارِ وَاللّهُ يَدْعُوَ إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ وَالْمَغْفِرَةِ بِإِذْنِهِ وَيُبَيِّنُ آيَاتِهِ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ .

And do not marry Al-Mushrikat (unbelievers, etc.) till they believe (worship Allah Alone). And indeed a slave woman who believes is better than a (free) Mushrikah (unbelievers, etc.), even though she pleases you. And give not (your daughters) in marriage to Al-Mushrikun till they believe (in Allah Alone) and verily, a believing slave is better than a (free) Mushrik (unbelievers, etc.), even though he pleases you. Those (Al-Mushrikun) invite you to the Fire, but Allah invites (you) to Paradise and Forgiveness by His Leave, and makes His Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) clear to mankind that they may remember.

G4ME !5 OV3R

We are Anonymous.

We are Legion.

We do not forgive.

We do not forget.

Expect us...

MashAllah. May Allah (swt) make it easier for you to convert. =)

And if you go to the mosque the imams would explain everything you would need to know and stuff like that. And you can ask them questions, if you're confused about anything. =)

Good luck.

:)

I'd say the most important thing is to read the Quran at least once, understand the core values of the religion so there arent any surprises afterward and also so you are ready for a life-long commitment....that doesnt mean you have to be perfect or that you would be expected to be

you're supposed to take a 'ghusl' (purification bath) before or afterward to purify yourself for prayer... and you're all set

i cant think of anything that you would need to memorize or anything of that sort

~what to expect: you'll probably be hugged and kissed a lot, sisters would be very welcoming....there may be some Muslims who would try to teach you everything right on spot...ignore them :)

Welcome to the family, May Allah (swt) bless you :)

~Peace~