One Step to Embrace the Islamic Faith

As IQRA Network grows worldwide, we get many questions about Islam. One question is, “How do I become a Muslim?” You might be surprised to learn that it’s easier than you think!

 

Firstly, let’s discuss what a “Muslim” means.

 

A Muslim submits to the Will of God. He understands The “Will of God” and His Commands through the Quran and the example of Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him). We learn the Prophet’s life (peace be upon him) through hadith. Hadith are sayings of Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) through the accounts of those around him. There is an entire science of hadith. This science meticulously recorded and verified the sayings of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

 

How to Become a Muslim

 

Unlike other religions, becoming a Muslim is very simple. There is no age, nationality, gender, or other criteria to be a Muslim other than belief. To become a Muslim, you declare the testimony of faith, and this declaration is called shahada.

 

It is as follows:

 

 لا إله إلا الله محمد رسول الله

lā ʾilāha ʾillallāh, Muḥammad rasūlu-llāh(in Arabic)

 

There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His Messenger.

 

 

What is Faith (Iman)?

 

Testifying that there is only One God and that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is His Messenger entails that you believe in the tenants of faith.

 

There are six articles of faith in Islam.

 

The belief in:

 

  1. The Oneness of God – To believe God has no equal. God is one with no son, father, etc. God is Supreme above all His Creation. He is the Creator, and none has the right to be worshipped except for Him alone.
  2. His Angels – Pure and spiritually obedient creations of God
  3. Divine Revelations – Quran, Gospel, Scrolls of Abraham, and the Psalms of David.
  4. The Prophets of God – All the Messengers and Prophets such as Noah, Moses, Abraham, David, Solomon, Jesus, and Muhammad as the last and final Messenger
  5. Resurrection after death and the Day of Judgement – We’ll be brought back to life and be accountable before Almighty Allah for all we have done.
  6. Preordainment – God’s eternally pre-existent knowledge and that nothing in existence lies outside of His eternal control.

 

What are the Pillars of Islam?

 

Islam is a religion based on belief and practice (actions). The Five pillars of Islam are the basis of our actions as Muslims.

 

Therefore, to become a Muslim, belief in the following pillars of Islam is essential:

  1. Testimony of faith (shahada)
  2. Salah – five daily prayers
  3. Zakat – obligatory charity (2.5% on extra wealth)
  4. Hajj Pilgrimage – pilgrimage to Makkah, at least once in a lifetime if you can afford it
  5. Fasting in the month of Ramadan

  

On the authority of Abdullah, the son of Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA), who said:

 

I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say, “Islam builds on five [pillars]: testifying that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establishing the salah (prayer), paying the zakat (obligatory charity), making the hajj (pilgrimage) to the House, and fasting in Ramadhan.” [Bukhari & Muslim]

 

Foundation to Become a Muslim

 

A narration of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) sums up the entire understanding of belief in Islam.

 

Narrated Abu Huraira:

One day while the Prophet (peace be upon him) was sitting in the company of some people, (The angel) Gabriel came and asked, “What is faith?” The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) replied, ‘Faith is to believe in Allah, His angels, (the) meeting with Him, His Apostles, and to believe in Resurrection.”

He further asked, “What is Islam?” Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) replied, “To worship Allah Alone and none else, to offer prayers perfectly to pay the compulsory charity (Zakat) and to observe fasts during the month of Ramadan.” The angel then asked, “What is Ihsan (perfection)?” The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) replied, “To worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you cannot achieve this state of devotion, then you must consider that He is looking at you.”

Finally, he asked, “When will the Hour be established?” Allah’s Messenger ((peace be upon him) replied, “The answerer has no better knowledge than the questioner.”

The Prophet ((peace be upon him) then recited: “Verily, with Allah (Alone) is the knowledge of the Hour–.” (31. 34) Then that man (Gabriel) left, and the Prophet ((peace be upon him)) asked his companions to call him back, but they could not see him. Our Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “That was Gabriel who came to teach the people their religion.” Abu’ Abdullah said that He (the Prophet) considered all that a part of faith. (Sahih al-Bukhari)

 

Signup for Islam 101

 

We at IQRA have been honored to welcome many new Muslims. If you are interested in learning more about Islam, click the button above.

 

Ready to take the shahada? Just reach out and let us know you want to be Muslim! Yes, it is as simple as that.