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 are facing 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 courts of justice 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 an evidence to that
effect.

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

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 (SWT) for all human beings, then, one should
pronounce that "Shahada" (The testimony of faith) without
further delay. The Holy Qur'an is explicit in this regard as Allah
(SWT) has stated.

"Truly, the Religion on the sight of Allah is
Islam." (3:19)

In another verse of the Holy Qur'an, Allah (SWT)
has stated:

"And whosoever desires a religion other that
Islam, never will it accepted of him; and in the Hereafter he will be
in the ranks of those who are lost." (3:85)

In addition, Islam is the only Religion prevailing
over all other religions. Allah (SWT) has stated in the Holy Qur'an;

"And to thee. We have sent the Book in truth,
(This Qur'an) confirming the scripture that came before it, and a
witness over it…" (5:48)

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


''ASH-HADU ANLAA ILAHA ILLA ALLAH WA ASH HADU ANNA
MUHAMMADAN ABDUHU WA RASUULUH."

The English translation is:

"I bear witness that there is no deity worthy
to be worshipped but Allah, and I bear witness the 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, but
rather, one should believe in it by heart with a firm conviction with
the teachings of Islam in all his life he will find himself a new born
person, (or new man).

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 be becomes the embodiment of
that faith.

What would 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 the Oneness of Allah and
accept Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), as the last of the Prophet, and meet
its requirements. He must behave accordingly applying this true faith
to every thing he speaks or does. What do the words of
"Shahada" signify.

The significant point which every Muslim must know
very well is the truth that there is no God (ditty) to be worshipped
other than Allah, (Glory be 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 "Sahada" i. e.
"We ashhadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasuluh" means that
Prophet Muhammad (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 follow his teachings, to avoid what he has forbidden,
and to worship Allah 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 of man whether
explicit or implicit and whether 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 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 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 his 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 amount to apostasy from the Islamic point of view.

The next step for a devotee (newly reverted 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.


"… whoever disbelieves in false deities and
believes in Allah, hath grasped the most trustworthy Handhold, that
will never break…" (2:256)

we have to consider that when we declare from our
heart that "there is no god (ditty) 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 requirement of "there is no god
worty to be worshipped but Allah," to love for the sake of Allah
and to reject for the sake of Allah. This is the firmest anchor of
belief which materializes 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 practices of the 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.