What does it mean to be a muslim?
Allah says in 51:56
“And I did not create the Jinns and the mankind except to worship Me”
A Muslim is someone who submits himself to Allah. He tries his best to obey the commands of Allah.
When someone says they’re Muslim, this is them saying:
· Yes, I believe that there is only one God, Allah, and only He is worthy of worship
· Yes, I believe Muhammed (SAW) is Allah’s last and final messenger
· Yes, I also believe in all the prophets that came before him such as Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus (AS)
· Yes, I believe in all the books that the messengers came with. As-Sahifa, Az-Zabur At-Tawrat, Al-Injeel and of course Al-Qur'an - the final revelation
· Yes, I believe Allah created the Angels
· Yes, I believe in the Day of judgement when we will all be resurrected and taken account of.
· Yes, I believe in the predestination by Allah of all things
Let me tell you, when a non- Muslim enters Islam that’s when they discover the Real Happiness and Inner Peace experience because real happiness and |
peace can only be found in submitting to the commands of the Creator and the Sustainer of this world. Allah has said in the Quran 13:28: “Truly, in remembering God do hearts find rest.” On the other hand, the one who turns away from the Quran will have a life of hardship in this world. Allah has said (Quran, 20:124): |
“But whoever turns away from the Quran, he will have a hard life, and We will raise him up blind on the Day of Judgment.”
What’s so wonderful is that when someone converts to Islam, Allah forgives all of his previous sins and evil deeds. A man called Amr came to the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and said, “Give me your right hand so that I may give you my pledge of loyalty.” The Prophet (SAW) stretched out his right hand. Amr withdrew his hand. The Prophet (SAW) said: {What has happened to you, O Amr?} He replied, “I intend to lay down a condition.” The Prophet (SAW) asked: {What condition do you intend to put forward?} Amr said, “That God forgive my sins.” The Prophet (SAW) said: {Didn’t you know that converting to Islam erases all previous sins?}So as soon as one becomes Muslim he is as fresh as the day he was born. What is also truly amazing is that all the good deeds that a person done before entering Islam such as, feeding a pet, being kind to neighbours, being respectful to parents etc, has been and will stay recorded in their book of good deeds. |
After converting to Islam, the person will be rewarded for his or her good deeds, and the bad deeds that he abstained from, according to the following saying of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), ‘Your Lord, Who is blessed and exalted, is most merciful. If someone intends to do a good deed but does not do it, a good deed will be recorded for him. And if he does do it, (a reward of) ten to seven hundred or many more times (the reward of the good deed), will be recorded for him. And if someone intends to do a bad deed but does not do it, a good deed will be recorded for him. And if he does do it, a bad deed will be recorded against him or God will wipe it out.’
In al Tirmidhi, the Prophet (SAW) said, “The most perfect of the believers in faith are the best of them in morals. And the best among them are those who are best to their wives”. So to be the best Muslim we should look at the morals and manners of our beloved Prophet (SAW) as he was the best example.
It says in Qur’an (33:21):
“Certainly you have in the Messenger of Allah an excellent exemplar for him who hopes in Allah and the latter day and remembers Allah much.”
Part of being a Muslim, is that not only are you part of a religion but rather you belong to one massive family. Every Muslim is a brother and sister to one another. Islam does not discriminate between colour or race. Allah says in Surah 49:13 “O mankind! Lo! We have created you male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that ye may know one another. Lo! the noblest of you, in the sight of Allah, is the best in conduct. Lo! Allah is Knower, Aware.” And the Prophet (SAW) said in the last sermon he gave before he died, ‘All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action.’ The believers, in their love, mercy, and kindness to one another are like a body: if any part of it is ill, the whole body shares its sleeplessness and fever. |
The merciful are shown mercy by the All-Merciful. So show mercy to those on earth, and Allah will show mercy to you.
There is no better feeling than witnessing one declaring that there is only One God because he is turning to the One we worship, he is turning to the One we love, he has become as fresh and sinless as the day he was born, and he is on the path to those gardens in Paradise. It is so emotional because Allah is showing right now how much He loves that person because He is guiding him to the right path.
Advice for the Muslim - The new Muslim is vulnerable, and he has rights over you. It is now that Shaytan will do his upmost to drag the new servant of Allah back into darkness. It is each and every one’s responsibility to help the new Muslim. Allah says, “Call to the way of your Lord”. Help them to understand Islam, give them the confidence to stay strong while others may try to turn them back, teach them how to pray the way the Prophet (SAW) has taught us, and do not let them have a need for anything (make it easy for them). Remember, none of you believes (completely) until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.
Many people are too quick to save the new Muslim from doing haram (things that are forbidden), but what this does is it makes the religion too difficult and appear unfair, and it is difficult for a new Muslim to make all these changes when their Iman is not yet that strong.
Remember in the Qur’an, Allah talks about the beauty and wonder of Islam first. He (SWT) mentions the rewards and jannah, and then punishments and hellfire.
Speak with them, invite them to your house, and do not forget them. Would you want Allah to forget about you? Take it easy on them. He is not now a sheikh who knows everything. Things take time. An old woman approached the Prophet (SAW) and said, I am old and have lived my life like this for so long. How can I now change everything.” He (SAW) replied, “Say your shahadah and establish the five daily prayers and everything else will fall into place in time.” (paraphrased!)
There is nothing more important than the prayers. It is the prayers that will increase one’s iman.
In the Qur'an (23: 1-2) we read:
Successful indeed are the believers. Those who offer their prayers with humility and attentiveness.
Also: (29:45)
“Verily, Prayer prevents one from shameful and evil deeds.”
There is also a saying from Hadith:
The Prophet (SAW) said:
"Between a man, and between shirk and kufr there is the abandonment of Prayer" (shirk is the worship of objects other than Allah, and kufr is disbelief in Allah and the Message He sent) (reported by Jaabir ra in at Tirmidhi)
The first topic one should learn is Tawheed, the oneness of Allah. Knowing, and understanding who Allah is. How can we love Him, worship Him and obey every command from the One we do not know.
Advice for the new Muslim- This is a beautiful time for you, the beginning of the rest of your life. Always keep good company, stay with those who remind you of Allah, encourage you to do good and who will save you from doing wrong. For surely those who don't do this do not care about you. Always refer to the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW) and do not stray into deviation and innovation. The religion of Allah is complete and is perfect.
You will see many different forms of practise and everyone claims that it is them who are on the right path. Firstly beware of culture which is NOT Islam! Refer everything to the Qur’an and Sunnah for this is the guidance of Allah that he has protected, it has never changed. Knowledge is the key to success and half of knowledge is saying I don’t know.
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