According to Rahyafte(the missionaries and converts website):Peace, mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you (Assalm Alikoum wrahmtu Allah wbaraktu). This is our greeting in Islam; peace, mercy and blessings.
O respected readers, our topic for today is about new Muslims, why they choose Islam? What are the merits of Islam? How to convert to Islam? What should new Muslims learn? What are the difficulties that they may face? How could they solve it? And how could they call others to Islam and convey its message to the world?
Let’s start by answering our first question; what is Islam and why you must choose it?
Islam means to submit your free will to the only true God, to obey His orders and to avoid His prohibitions. Islam is the only true religion of Allah. Islam is the religion of Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Jesus, Mohammed and all the messengers and the prophets, peace and blessings of Allah be upon all of them.
Islam has many merits and characteristics that you can find them only in Islam. And that’s why many people accept it and become Muslim reverts. By the way, some of them preferred to call themselves Muslim revert, not Muslim convert, can you guess why?
Because by embracing Islam, you now revert to your sound nature. The sound nature of worshipping The one and the only true God and submit to Him. But anyway this is not our topic for today, the most important point that you are now Muslim, praise be to Allah.
Let’s discuss one of the most important points of Islam which is the Monotheism. If you ask some of new Muslims especially who convert from Christianity to Islam, why you choose it. They will answer, Because of the Monotheism. Because Islam has the answers to our questions because Islam clears our doubts because Islam has no contradictions.
Monotheism means to worship the only true God; Allah, with no partners and to believe that He is the only creator, sustainer of all the creatures and Allah is the only one who controls the universe and its affairs. To believe that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah and to believe in His beautiful names and attributes.
In addition, Islam is a completely perfect way and system for life. Islam controls and regulates all aspects of life.
When you become Muslim, you are going to find happiness, inner peace and you won’t be spiritually empty. You can ask new Muslims about that point and they will explain in details their emotions and experiences.
Besides, Islam answers our basic questions, who created us? what are we doing here in this life? What is our fate after death? How can we enter heaven and how to avoid hellfire. It answers them with clear proofs without doubts nor contradictions.
Moreover, the Quran didn’t change over the years. It was preserved and never changed.
How can one convert to Islam?
By testifying that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah, and testifying that Mohammed is His slave and messenger.
Bearing witness of these testimonies by tongue and heart.
It is not necessary to announce your Islam in front of people or witnesses but it is highly recommended to do that.
So, if you hide your Islam, you are still Muslim, and this hiding doesn’t affect the validity of your faith.
However, it is highly recommended too because this will help you to practice your religion. But if you can’t declare this at this moment, you are still Muslim.
Now you are Muslim, praise be to Allah (Alhamdullilah), What should you learn?
You should learn about the pillars of faith and pillars of Islam.
Six pillars of Faith are related to the actions of the heart, they are; believing in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, The day of judgment and the divine decree. Firm and strong belief by your heart.
Five pillars of Islam are, bearing witness that there is no god worthy of worship but Allah and Mohammed (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is His slave and messenger, establish five obligatory daily prayers, paying obligatory charity (Zakah), fasting in the month of Ramadan (ninth month of the Hijri year) and perform pilgrimage to the Macca (Hajj) once per lifetime if you have the ability to do so.
These are the most important thing that all Muslims learn and practice them in the proper way.
You should learn how to worship Allah, how to repent if you commit a sin.
You should learn how to please your Lord. Besides, you should learn Islamic manners and behaviour, how to deal with your parents, friends, how to deal with non- Muslims.
You should learn how to read the Quran in Arabic.
If you have children, you should learn their rights and how to bring them up according to Islamic teaching.
It is recommended also to learn Arabic to understand what you say while praying and understand the meanings of the Quran.
My sincere advice to you is to take it STEP BY STEP, learn gradually.
Don’t start by learning everything, because this is not right and you can’t afford that, rather take small steps but ma
