New Muslims Guide to Islam
If you are a New Muslim or are thinking about taking the Shahadah (declaration of faith) then please read this advice carefully. Many New Muslims could have saved themselves from much hardship and confusion if they followed the following advice and guidelines as to what to do.
First of all. You should realize that after converting to Islam you will be tested by Allah as to how firm you are on your Islam.
Allah says:>
"Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: "We believe," and will not be tested.
"And We indeed tested those who were before them. And Allah will certainly make (it) known (the truth of) those who are true, and will certainly make (it) known (the falsehood of) those who are liars, (although Allah knows all that before putting them to test)". ( Quran 29:2.-3)
Not only do these tests separate the sincere Muslim from the insincere Muslim but they also enable a Muslim to reach a higher rank in heaven. There are seven heavens and the highest and best heaven is called Al Firdous. So to reach the best heaven obviously it would be only fair to have to undergo the most difficult tests. This is why the Prophets who are the best of mankind are tested the most and then the pious. No one is tested beyond their capability. So no one can say I can not bare this tests. It is overwhelming and impossible.
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “If Allah loves a people, He tries them, and whoever has patience will have patience, and whoever is anxious will be anxious.” (Reported by Imam Ahmad; Saheeh al-Jaami’, 1706).
Again Allah says
And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to As-Sâbirin (the patient ones, e.t.c..).
Who, when afflicted with calamity, say: "Truly! To Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return."
They are those on whom
are the Salawât (I.i.e.. blessings, etc.) (i.e. who are blessed and will be
forgiven) from their Lord, and (they are those who) receive His Mercy, and it is
they who are the guided-ones. (Quran 2:155-157)
If you are having difficulty dealing with the tests then you should immediately email MuslimConverts.com and I will InshaAllah give you some counseling. Alhamdulillah I have been able to help those converts brothers and sisters who had a difficult time coping.
So email support@muslimconverts.com
2 When you become a Muslim. There will be a lot to learn of Islam and a lot of things to unlearn from your previous culture and religion.
Islam governs every aspect of a Muslims life and thus has its own way of life. It is beautiful and wonderful way of life. After all it is from the one who created us.
Don't jump feet first
A) Priorities what you need to know first and what you need to do first. Don’t get dragged into debates. Some Muslims are passionate about Islam and so they should be. It is very easy to offend some one by saying the wrong thing when one has little knowledge. How true is the phrase “LITTLE KNOWLEDGE IS VERY DANGEROUS”.There are things that one can say which can take a person out of Islam. And if you say it in front of other Muslims they may start getting very angry and declare you as a non-Muslim So please don’t play the scholar. That’s for people who have huge amounts of knowledge.
B) Do not let Muslims push you into doing speeches on Islam. Just say I am learning and when I have learnt sufficiently I will get back to you on this matter. The information one gives out must be correct and one is often asked many questions on the spot for which you may not have the correct answers. The person asking the questions can even confuse you and effect your Islam badly. Islam requires saying the truth. Rather than taking a guess. In the west we are often brain washed to hypothesizing about things we do not know the answer to. This we must avoid when talking about Islam.
C) Do not worry about changing names right away or getting married and do not let others push you into getting married. Bad marriages have sometimes ended in driving a New Muslim away from Islam. Do not start setting up web sites or egroups. You can end up leading each other astray. Just because some one is also a New Muslims does not mean he or she will be a guiding beacon of light for you or you for them. In fact some are in the dark about much of Islam and it is like the blind leading the blind. Muslims have a tendency to hook up a new Muslim with another convert brother or sister From my many years of experience and research I have found this to be a very bad idea in most cases. Many a time the Convert to whom a New Muslim is attached knows little Islam or has not unlearnt some of his pre Islamic ways and it becomes the blind leading the poor New Muslim.
3) Try to read and understand what the conditions of the Shahadah (declaration of faith) are and what negates ones Islam and here is a collection of articles you should read and understand thoroughly.
LEARN YOUR PRAYERS!!!
After having taken the Shahadah and having done the purifications and the Gusl. A Muslim needs to wear clean cloths and Learn how to pray. This is the first pillar of Islam and the 5 daily compulsory prayers are the secound pillar of Islam. You cannot jump onto aspects of Islam that seem more interesting to you such as marriage, learning Arabic, name change etc and put them before the prayers. This is incorrect and sinful.
After saying the Shahadah and doing the various purification and the Gusl as discribed in the link above. You priority is to learn how to pray. You may want to know how to change your name or know about issues like marriage and so on. No leave them alone and learn how to pray. If you jump onto other issues and you have not started to learn how to pray then you may be sinning.
MuslimConverts.com has prepared for you easy to follow prayer guides for all 5 daily compulsory prayers on the following link
If you have any difficulties then email support@muslimconverts.com
5) You must know that as Muslims we should not drink alcohol or take any intoxicants such as heroine, marijuana, speed etc.
We must not eat pig meat or anything derived from pigs.
We must not eat meat from Animals which have not been slaughtered in the Islam way or food that has been dedicated to say a pagan God or idol or the name of the pagan God or idol has been mentioned when slaughtering etc.
There are many Muslim butchers who sell Chicken, Beef, Lamb, Mutton, Turkey, which has been slaughtered in the Islamic way.
As for fish it does not matter how the fish is slaughtered you may eat it. And obviously vegetables, milk and fruit are allowed from any place is allowed.
6 You must dress Islamically.
The Muslim males must have a beard and they should not wear silk cloths. They must have their pants above their ankles.
The Muslim females dress is described in detail on www.muslimconverts.com/hijab
7. Since Ramadan 2008 will begin around the end of August or beginning of September 2008.You must read about Ramadan . Again I have prepared a detailed . Easy to follow guide for all. Due to the Islamic calender being based on lunar months we cannot know the exact day Ramadan will begin until a day before the start of Ramadan
Please do not worry. The date will be announced on the website when it is known.
So please read it well before start of Ramadan or you will be in a panic and undue stress.
Here is the link www.muslimconverts.com/ramadan
After reading from the website if you still have questions on Ramadan then please email support@muslimconverts.com or post your message on the website discussion board. You must try and do this before Ramadan because all Muslims are busy building their taqwa (piety) in Ramadan by praying more and reading Quran more..
In Ramadan we will also have Ramadan pages for you were you can read a new page every day of Ramadan.
After having done that please read the following articles
- Character
- Preparation
- Strangers
- Believers 1
- Believers 2
- Nature
- Fortitude
- Positivism<
- >Al-Wala'u wa Al-Bara'(1)
- Al-Wala'u wa Al-Bara '(2)
- Lessons
- Tribulations
- Not working against Islamic teachings
- The proper way to thank Allah>
9. After you have accomplished all this then please read the various sections of the website
Finally welcome to Islam and we are glad to have you as our Brother if you are male or as our Sister if you are female
Copyright © 2008 www.muslimconverts.com All rights reserved
