.::How to Become A Muslim?::.

This is Islam

Islam means “submission to God”. Islam is the belief that there is only One God, whose proper name is Allah, which means “ the God”. Islam is the same message given to all the prophets, from Adam, Noah, Moses, Abraham, Jesus, and finally to the Prophet Muhammad, the last messenger (peace and blessings be upon them). They all brought the same message: worship only God, and stop worshiping human beings and their ideas.

The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him welcomed  even those people who had previously fought him and  killed his loved ones. These people later on were to  become the heroes of Islam. So no matter what your background and no matter what you may have done or said to Muslims or others in the past, you should rest assured that you will be welcomed with open arms.

Who can become a Muslim?

Some people are worried often worried if they will be allowed to become Muslim due to a variety of reasons. So before proceeding onto how to convert to Islam. I wish to reassure you that anyone can become a Muslim.

Islam is for the whole of humanity. Islam unites together people of different colours, languages, races. and nationalities into one brotherhood.

Allah says: "Indeed the Believers are but brothers." [Quran 4 9:10]

So you will be our brother or sisters in Islam when you convert to Islam

Any human being can embrace Islam. You do not need anyones permission to become Muslim. You can be any colour,  race, age, speak any language and still become a Muslim. There are many American, British, European, Indian,  children and Adults who accept Islam every day.

You may hear from some Muslims incorrect advice due to their lack of knowledge of Islam or due to lack of   correct knowledge of Islam.  So please note that:

You do not need to do a course or obtain a certificate to become a Muslim

Someone may say you have to do a course or obtain a certificate to be a Muslim. This is incorrect. You do not need to attend a course or obtain a certificate to become Muslim.

You should not delay in becoming a Muslim

If someone advices you to delay your conversion to Islam. This is also incorrect. If you believe Islam is the truth then you should not delay your conversion to Islam. You should convert immediately because we are given a certain  lifespan. Since we do not know when we are going to die. Not even a minute should be lost as your time to leave this life  may be up the next minute.

If you have tattoos you can still become a Muslim

Some one may say to you that you must remove all tattoos to be a Muslim. This is also incorrect. Tattoos are not allowed in Islam but they  DO NOT prevent a person becoming Muslim. You should become Muslims and latter you can have the tattoos removed if you can afford it. If you can not afford it then do not worry there is no sin on you for what you did before becoming Muslim You are still a Muslim.

If you have a wild past of have committed a many  of sins you can still become a Muslim

No matter what sins you have committed or how wild your past was. You can still become a Muslim.. Islam erases all sins committed prior to becoming a Muslim.  Prophet (may the peace and blessings and mercy of Allah be upon him) said, Islam annuls what came before it. (narrated by Muslim in his Sahih, no. 121).As soon as you become a Muslim all your previous sins are forgiven and you start a blank state. Or a complete clean record.

Muslim (121) narrated that Amr ibn al-Aas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: When Allah put Islam in my heart, I came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and said: Give me your right hand so that I may swear allegiance to you. He held out his hand and I withdrew my hand. He said, What is the matter, Oh Amr? I said, I want to stipulate a condition. He said, What do you want to stipulate? I said,  That I will be forgiven. He said, Do you not know that Islam destroys that which came before it?

If you are a Small child you can still become a Muslim without your parents permission

If you are a child you do not need your parent's permission to become a Muslim. If you fear they may harm, you can become Muslim in secret and tell them when you are ready.

What if their are no Muslims (or no Mosque or Islamic center) in your town

Another  common question  is that there are no Muslims in the city. This too is not an obstacle in you becoming a Muslim. You do not have to go to a Masjid (Mosque) or Islamic center or know any Muslims in order to be a Muslim. You can say the declaration of faith (called the Shahadah) to yourself and from then onwards you are a Muslim. Click Here to know more!

Become a Muslim Now

If you believe there is only One God who should be worshipped, and no one/nothing else has that right but Him, and you believe Muhammad, peace be upon him, was a messenger who brought the same message as all the prophets before him, then you are basically a Muslim.

Do Not Hesitate

If someone receives the message of Islam and dies rejecting it, they are forever destined to Hellfire. Anyone who truly believes in the message of Islam, their previous sins are forgiven and they will spend eternity in Paradise . If you have belief, act on it. Do not worry about what anyone else thinks. Your eternal life is at stake.

“Do you not know that accepting Islam destroys all sins which come before it?” (Saheeh Muslim)

To become a Muslim, simply declare the following:

Ash-hadu an laa ilaaha illallaah, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa Rasuluh.

I testify there is nothing worthy of worship except Allah, and I testify Muhammad is His slave and messenger.

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Do you know in all the religion e.g Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Zoroastrianism, Atheism etc concept of God is same. To know more Click Here.

We welcome you to Islam, congratulate you for your decision, and will try to help you in any way we can.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to email us at problem@iloveAllaah.com

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Click here to get some more Resources about Islam.

Click Here To read the article "Advices for New Muslims".

If you become a Muslim please confirm it by sending an email to info[@]iloveallaah.com

How do I convert to Islam?

To convert to Islam and become a Muslim a person needs to have sincere intention, and then to pronounce the below testimony with sincerity, conviction and understanding of its meaning:

Testify “La ilah illa Allah, Muhammad rasoolu Allah.”

The translation of which is:

“I testify that there is no true God but Allah, and that Muhammad is his Messenger.”

Once you have done this - you are a Muslim.

After that, you will need to incorporate the 5 pillars of Islam - the Shahadah (profession of faith), Salat (prayers), Sawm (fasting), Zakat (giving of alms, specifically during Ramadan) and Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca for those who can afford it).

Over time, you should increase yourself in faith (iman), attend the Friday prayers wherever you can and increase your knowledge of Islam, and increase your faith and practice of Islam.

There are some people who like to pronounce Shahada (the Declaration of Faith) in a mosque, in front of an audience, others who like to shower before or after as a symbolic ritual of cleanliness and rebirth, some convert in front of fellow Muslims who they have known and who called them to the religion - but in truth, anyone who declares the Shahada with sincere faith and understanding is a Muslim.

Peace, and Welcome to Islam!

-Islam Is a very beautiful religion that makes you feel comfortable and that asks people to act everyone equally whatever their race or age is .
Islam is Rahma , mercy and forgivness . Islam shouts peace and Safety .
Islam is Helping each other when it bad times and feeling happy for each other in good times .
Islam is not about terror , or depriving yorself from the goods in life .
Islam says you should eat and drink Halal , and live your life . Islam Is alot more than words that i could say
And Islam IS COOL 

-Shahadat Al islam Is your way to start , your door of Openning , and believe me this is the right thing to do

" Ashhadu Ana La Elaha Ella ALLAH , Wa Ana Mohammadan Rasulu Allah "
which means , i witness and believe that there is No God But Allah Sobhanu Wa ta'ala and That Mohammed Peace be Upon Him IS Allah's Massenger "

Steps ,
Step 1: Review the five pillars of Islam
Review the five pillars of Islam: testifying that there is only one God and Muhammad is his prophet; praying five times a day; fasting for the month of Ramadan; offering charity each year; and making the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in your lifetime. Affirm these to yourself.

Familiarize yourself with the various strains of Islam. Sunnis, Shias, and Ismailis are all Muslim but have slightly different core beliefs or aqeedah. Because Sunnis make up roughly 85 percent of the world’s Muslim population, this represents a sort of default option for conversion.

Step 2: Make your intention
Sitting quietly by yourself, make your intention, either silently or out loud, to convert to Islam to please God alone, not for personal gain or to please other people.

If someone is pressuring you to convert to Islam—for example a spouse or a boyfriend/girlfriend, remind him or her that according to Islamic law, a conversion without inner conviction is morally meaningless and religiously invalid.

Step 3: Read out loud ...
Read out loud this statement in Arabic: “Ash-shadu an laa ill-laaha illa-lah.” This means in English: “I testify there is no God but God.”

While many converts like to profess their new faith in a mosque and/or in the presence of other Muslims, witnesses are not required. You can become Muslim by yourself at home.

Step 4: Read aloud ...
Read aloud this statement: “Wa ash-shadu anna Muhammadun-a rasuulu-lah.” This means “And I testify that Muhammad is the prophet of God.”

Step 5: Repeat steps 3 & 4
Repeat Steps 3 and 4. These two statements are known as the shahadah, or testament of faith, and they comprise the first pillar of Islam.

Saying the shahadah in Arabic is required, but it might also help to repeat the statements in your native language.

Step 6: Take a shower or bath
Take a shower or bath, completely immersing your hair and body. With this washing, you are shedding all of the sins you may have committed before becoming Muslim.

Step 7: Accept God's mercy
Accept God’s mercy in forgiving all your past sins. It’s part of the gift of becoming Muslim.

Step 8: Pray for others
Use this time to pray for others. God says the prayer of a new convert is likely to be accepted.

Step 9: Practice the other pillars of Islam
Begin to practice the other pillars of Islam as soon as you are ready. Most immediately, this means offering the five daily prayers.

When you decide to make the pilgrimage, or hajj, another of Islam’s pillars, you might need your local mosque to write a letter certifying that you are now Muslim, as only Muslims are allowed in the city of Mecca.

Step 10: Use an Arabic name if desired
Some converts like to start using an Arabic name in addition to or instead of their given name. Changing your name, however, is not required.

While you will need to master a small amount of Arabic to correctly say the daily prayers, learning Arabic is not required.

Step 11: Tell your friends, family, & co-workers
When you are ready, begin to tell your friends, family, and co-workers that you have embraced Islam. Be patient with them if they express alarm or hostility. Don’t forget that there was a time when you, too, knew little about Islam.

Step 12: Incorporate Islam into your life
Gradually incorporate other aspects of Islam into your life, whether that means dressing more modestly, reading the Quran, or visiting the mosque. While you may be tempted to completely change your lifestyle right away, realize that making slow, deliberate changes will serve you better in the long run.

In the West, some of the most prominent Muslim are converts, including Yusuf Islam, formerly known as Cat Stevens, and boxing champion Muhammad Ali.

As for the speicifacations of hows to prayy and how fats and how to perform Haj , you can visit alot of websites or you can ask a Muslim Imam or SHekh which means a scientists

May Allah Lighten your heart and soften it , If you need any help

email me and i will try as much as I can to help you .,

How to Convert to Islam and Become a Muslim

The word “Muslim” means one who submits to the will of God, regardless of their race, nationality or ethnic background. Becoming a Muslim is a simple and easy process that requires no pre-requisites.One may convert alone in privacy, or he/she may do so in the presence of others.

If anyone has a real desire to be a Muslim and has full conviction and strong belief that Islam is the true religion of God, then, all one needs to do is pronounce the “Shahada”, the testimony of faith, without further delay. The “Shahada” is the first and most important of the five pillars of Islam.

With the pronunciation of this testimony, or “Shahada”, with sincere belief and conviction, one enters the fold of Islam.

Upon entering the fold of Islam purely for the Pleasure of God, all of one’s previous sins are forgiven, and one starts a new life of piety and righteousness. The Prophet said to a person who had placed the condition upon the Prophet in accepting Islam that God would forgive his sins:

“Do you not know that accepting Islam destroys all sins which come before it?” (Saheeh Muslim)

When one accepts Islam, they in essence repent from the ways and beliefs of their previous life. One need not be overburdened by sins committed before their acceptance. The person’s record is clean, and it is as if he was just born from his mother’s womb. One should try as much as possible to keep his records clean and strive to do as many good deeds as possible.

The Holy Quran and Hadeeth (prophetic sayings) both stress the importance of following Islam. God states:

“…The only religion in the sight of God is Islam…” (Quran 3:19)

In another verse of the Holy Quran, God states:

“If anyone desires a religion other than Islam, never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter, he will be in the ranks of those who have lost (their selves in the Hellfire).” (Quran 3:85)

In another saying, Muhammad, the Prophet of God, said:

“Whoever testifies that there in none worthy of being worshipped but God, Who has no partner, and that Muhammad is His slave and Prophet, and that Jesus is the Slave of God, His Prophet, and His word[1] which He bestowed in Mary and a spirit created from Him; and that Paradise (Heaven) is true, and that the Hellfire is true, God will eventually admit him into Paradise, according to his deeds.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari)

The Prophet of God, may the blessing and mercy of God be upon him, also reported:

“Indeed God has forbidden to reside eternally in Hell the person who says: “I testify that none has the right to worship except Allah (God),’ seeking thereby the Face of God.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari)
The Declaration of the Testimony (Shahada)

To convert to Islam and become a Muslim a person needs to pronounce the below testimony with conviction and understanding its meaning:

I testify “La ilah illa Allah, Muhammad rasoolu Allah.”

The translation of which is:

“I testify that there is no true god (deity) but God (Allah), and that Muhammad is a Messenger (Prophet) of God.”

When someone pronounces the testimony with conviction, then he/she has become a Muslim.

The first part of the testimony consists of the most important truth that God revealed to mankind: that there is nothing divine or worthy of being worshipped except for Almighty God

Actions that put a Person beyond the pale of Islam

What are the actions which, if a Muslim does them, he will be an apostate from Islam?.

Shaykh �Abd al-�Azeez ibn �Abd-Allaah ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

Note that Allaah has commanded all people to enter Islam and to adhere to it and to beware of whatever is contrary to it. He sent His Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) to call mankind to that. He tells us that those who follow him will be guided and that those who turn away from him have gone astray. In many verses He warns against the means that lead to apostasy and all forms of shirk and kufr.

The scholars (may Allaah have mercy on them) have said, when discussing apostasy, that a Muslim may apostatize from his religion�by doing many acts that nullify Islam, which makes it permissible to shed his blood and seize his wealth, and which will put him beyond the pale of Islam. Among the most serious and most common of these things are ten which were mentioned by Shaykh Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Wahhaab and other scholars (may Allaah have mercy on them all).

We will mention them in brief here, so that you and others can beware of them, in the hope that you will be safe and sound. We will also explain a little about them after mentioning each one.

1 � Shirk or associating others in worship with Allaah. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

�Verily, Allaah forgives not (the sin of) setting up partners (in worship) with Him, but He forgives whom He wills, sins other than that, and whoever sets up partners in worship with Allaah, has indeed strayed far away�

[al-Nisa� 4:116]

�Verily, whosoever sets up partners (in worship) with Allaah, then Allaah has forbidden Paradise to him, and the Fire will be his abode�

[al-Maa�idah 5:72]

That includes praying to the dead, seeking their help, making vows and offering sacrifices to them or to the jinn or to the grave.

2 � Whoever sets up intermediaries between himself and Allaah, asks them to intercede, and puts his trust in them, is a kaafir according to scholarly consensus.

3 � Whoever does not regard the mushrikeen as kaafirs, or doubts that they are kaafirs, or regards their way as correct, is a kaafir.

4 � Whoever believes that anything other than the teaching of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is more complete than his teachings, or that the rulings of anyone else are better than his rulings � such as those who prefer the rule of false laws to his rulings � is a kaafir.

5 � Whoever hates any part of that which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) brought, even if he acts in accordance with it, is a kaafir, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

�That is because they hate that which Allaah has sent down (this Qur�aan and Islamic laws); so He has made their deeds fruitless�

[Muhammad 47:9]

6 � Whoever makes fun of anything in the religion of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), or makes fun of any texts that refer to rewards or punishments, is a kaafir. The evidence for that is the verse (interpretation of the meaning):

�Say: Was it at Allaah, and His Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) and His Messenger that you were mocking?

Make no excuse; you disbelieved after you had believed�

[al-Tawbah 9:65-66]

7 � Sihr (witchcraft) � including spells to turn one person against another or to make someone love another. Whoever does this or approves of it is a kaafir. The evidence for that is the verse (interpretation of the meaning):

�but neither of these two (angels) taught anyone (such things) till they had said, �We are for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us)��

[al-Baqarah 2:102]

8 � Supporting the mushrikeen and helping them against the Muslims. The evidence for that is the verse in which Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

�O you who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians as Awliyaa� (friends, protectors, helpers), they are but Awliyaa� of each other. And if any amongst you takes them (as Awliyaa�), then surely, he is one of them. Verily, Allaah guides not those people who are the Zaalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers and unjust)�

[al-Maa'idah 5:51]

9 � Whoever believes that some people are allowed to operate outside the law of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) just as al-Khidr operated outside the law of Moosa (peace be upon him) is a kaafir, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

�And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers�

[Aal �Imraan 3:85]

10 � Turning away from the religion of Allaah, not learning it and not acting in accordance with it. The evidence for that is the verse (interpretation of the meaning):

�And who does more wrong than he who is reminded of the Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of his Lord, then turns aside therefrom? Verily, We shall exact retribution from the Mujrimoon (criminals, disbelievers, polytheists, sinners)�

[al-Sajdah 32:22]

With regard to all of these acts that nullify Islam, it makes no difference whether a person is joking, serious or afraid, unless he is forced to do it. All of them are very serious, and they all happen a great deal. The Muslim should beware of them and fear falling into them. We seek refuge with Allaah from the things that may incur His wrath and painful punishment. May Allaah send blessings and peace upon the best of His creation, Muhammad, and upon his family and companions.

The fourth category includes those who believe that the systems and laws devised by men are better than the sharee�ah of Islam, or equal to it; or that it is permissible to refer to them for judgements and rulings, even if he believes that referring to sharee�ah is better; or that the Islamic system is not fit to be applied in the twentieth century; or that it was the cause of the Muslims� backwardness; or that it should be limited to a person�s relationship with his Lord and not have anything to do with the other affairs of life

The fourth category also includes those who think that carrying out the ruling of Allaah by cutting off the hand of the thief or stoning the married adulterer is not appropriate in the modern age.

That also includes: everyone who believes that it is permissible to rule according to something other than the laws of Allaah with regard to interactions, hudood punishments or other matters, even if he does not believe that that is better than the ruling of sharee�ah, because by doing so he is regarding as permissible something that Allaah has forbidden according to consensus, and everyone who regards as permissible something that Allaah has forbidden and is well known to be forbidden in Islam, such that no Muslim has any excuse for not knowing that it is forbidden, such as adultery, alcohol and riba, and ruling by something other than the sharee�ah of Allaah, is a kaafir according to the consensus of the Muslims.

We ask Allaah to help us all to do that which pleases Him, and to guide us and all the Muslims to His Straight Path, for He is All Hearing, Ever-Responsive. May Allaah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions.

To Seek Help of Other than Allaah is Shirk

Allaah subhanahu wa ta'ala said:

"Do not call onto any beings other than Allaah. These are capable of neither benefiti nor harm. To do so is therefore guilty of wrongdoing. When Allaah inverts you with an affliction, none can remove it except Him." (Qur'aan 10:106-107)

"Seek your livelihood from Him and worship Him alone." (Qur'aan 29:17)

"Who I smore foolish than he who prays to other beings than Allaah, to beings who are ever impotent to answer his prayer?" (Qur'aan 46:5)

"Is He not Allaah Who answers the appeal of the needy when he calls upon Him and removes the deed?" (Qur'aan 27:62)

At-Tabarani reported, with respective isnad: At the time of the Prophet there was a hypocrite who rendered so much harm to the believers that some of them summoned the others to seek the help of the Prophet against him. When the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam heard of it, he said, 'No man may seek my help. Only the help of Allaah is worthy of being sought.'

Issues addresses in this chapter:

1. Adding prayers for the specific purposes to the general prayer of recoursing for help is like adding the particular to the general

2. Explanation of the verse, "Do not call onto any beings other than Allaah. These are capable of neither benefit nor harm." (Qur'aan 10:106)

3. To do this is the greatest shirk

4. To this by even the most righteous and for totally altruistic purposes is nonetheless an act of wrong-doing

5. Explanation of the verse that follows [viz. "When Allaah invests you with an affliction." (Qur'aan 10:107)]

6. That, in addition to being blasphemous, recoursing to other than Allaah will not avail in this world

7. Explanation of the third verse [viz. "Seek your livelihood from Him." (Qur'aan 29:17)]

8. Prayer for livelihood may never be addressed to anyone besides Allaah. Similarly prayer for paradise

9. Explanation of the fourth verse [viz. "Who is more foolish." (Qur'aan 46:5)]

10. That nobody is more astray than he who recourses to other than Allaah

11. That the called is ignorant of the prayer of the caller

12. Such prayer even causes hatred to develop between the caller and the called

13. Calling to anyone is a kind of worship of the person called

14. Blasphemy of such worship

15. All these matters make the calling person the most foolish of all

16. Explanation of the fifth verse [viz. "Who answers the appeal of the needy." (Qur'aan 27:62)]

17. The really amazing fact is that idolaters do admit that none responds to the needy except Allaah; and for this reason; they too call on Him sincerely when they are in distress

18. The Prophet's protection of tawhid and discipline before Allaah.

[Sadly in this day and age there are many who call upon those other than Allaah. For anyone living in the Indian sub continent it becomes apparent that there is much grave worshipping - supposedly under the name of Islam. When a person goes to visit a dead person, often someone who is considered more pious than they are, and ask them for something or to approach Allaah on their behalf, they commit some degree ofshirk, for it is Allaah subhanahu wa ta'ala alone who has the ability to listen and respond to prayers - and He subhanahu wa ta'ala does as He subhanahu wa ta'ala wills, and may He subhanahu wa ta'ala make things easy for all, ameen.

In the words of Hud alayhis-salaam the messenger to the people of Ad : "I put my trust in Allaah my Lord and your Lord! There is not a moving creature but He hath grasp of its forelock. Verily it is my Lord that is on a Straight Path." (Qur'aan 11:56). Therefore our trust and our intentions and our actions should be to Allaah subhanahu wa ta'ala alone.

I was wondering about why any of us do good deeds. Some say that we do them to please others, e.g. I help a friend with some work in class. Others give other reasons, and Allaah subhanahu wa ta'ala knows best. But when I considered this, and thought about it, effectively what any of us should be doing, whether it is kindness to a partner, to a friend, family member whoever, we do these things, to please Allaah. To me the wise person is the one who recognizes this, and whenever they act they do not do it for themselves, or to show of - so it could be said of them - rather they do it because this life is in essence a worship of Allaah subhanahu wa ta'ala and part of worshipping Allaah subhanahu wa ta'ala is to keep good relations, and to help one another in whatever way we are able.

The greatest task however is that of pride and arrogance, that all of us face. Usually when we help someone, we feel good for doing it. That in itself is a very powerful rewards, however none of us should become big headed, and we should always remember that everything that we do do in this world should be as a preparation for the hereafter. And there is no better way to navigate this world that by remembering our Creator and attempting to live our lives as best we can in accordance to the laws He subhanahu wa ta'ala ordained for us, and may Allaah subhanahu wa ta'ala make it easy for us all.

There are a couple of duas that are important for us:

O Ever Living, O Self Sustaining, by Your mercy I call for help. Set right my affairs completely and do not entrust me to myself even for the wink of an eye - Ya haiyul ya kaiyumu birahmatika astaghithu us lili shanikulahu walatuklini ilainafsi tarfaha ain

O Allaah make sufficient for me what you have made lawful so that I may avoid that which is unlawful. And make me self sufficient by your favour, free from need of anyone but you. - Alla humak fee nee bi halaali ka un haraamika wa ag nee nee bi faz li kaummun siwa ka

In both of the above examples, we are seeking refuge in Allaah subhanahu wa ta'ala, we are asking Allaah subhanahu wa ta'ala to have mercy upon us, and we are asking Allaah subhanahu wa ta'ala to guide us, and provide for us. And surely as written in the following: "O ye who believe! when ye meet a force be firm and call Allaah in remembrance much (and often); that ye may prosper." Qur'aan 8:45 "Say: 'He is my Lord! There is no god but He! On Him is my trust and to Him do I turn!' " Qur'aan 13:30]

Duties of a Muslim towards a non-Muslim

What is the duty of a Muslim towards a non-Muslim, whether he is a dhimmi in a Muslim country or in his own country, and the Muslim is living in the land of that non-Muslim? The duty I would like to have clarified is interactions of all kinds, starting with greeting and ending with celebrating the non-Muslim’s festivals with him. Is it permissible to take him as a friend at work only? Please advise us, may Allah reward you.

Ans:

Praise be to Allaah. The duty of the Muslim towards a non-Muslim includes a number of things:

Firstly:

Da‘wah or calling him to Allah, may He be glorified and exalted. He should call him to Allah and explain to him the reality of Islam when possible, with regard to whatever issues he has knowledge about, because this is the greatest kindness that he can give to his fellow-citizens and to those whom he meets of Jews, Christians and others who may be mushrikeen (polytheists), because the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said:

“The one who guides others to goodness will have a reward like that of the one who does it.”

And he (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said to ‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him),when he sent him to Khaybar and instructed him to call the Jews to Islam:

“By Allah, if Allah were to guide one man through you, that would be better for you than having red camels (the best kind).”

And he (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said:

“Whoever calls others to right guidance will have a reward like that of those who follow him, without that detracting from their reward in the slightest.”

So calling him (the non-Muslim) to Islam, conveying Islam to him and being sincere towards him in that are among the best means of drawing close to Allah.

Secondly:

He should not wrong him, with regard to his physical wellbeing, his wealth or his honour. If he is a dhimmi (non-Muslim living under Muslim rule), musta’man (one who is granted security in a Muslim land) or mu‘aahid (one with whose country the Muslims have a peace deal), then he should give him his due rights, and not transgress against his wealth by stealing, betraying or deceiving, and he should not harm him physically by striking or killing him, because the fact that he is a mu‘aahid or dhimmi, or musta’man, means that he is protected by sharee‘ah.

Thirdly:

There is no reason why we should not interact with him, buying, selling, renting, hiring and so on. It is narrated in saheeh reports that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) bought from kuffaar who were idol worshippers, and he bought from the Jews, and these are interactions. When he (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) died, his shield was being held in pledge by a Jew for some food he had bought for his family (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him).

Fourthly:

With regard to greeting, the Muslim should not initiate the greeting, but he may return it, because the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said:

“Do not initiate the greeting of salaam with the Jews or Christians.”

And he (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said:

“If the people of the Book greet you with salaam (by saying al-salaamu ‘alaykum), say ‘Wa ‘alaykum.’”

So the Muslim should not initiate the greeting to a kaafir, but if the kaafir initiates it, and the Jew or Christians etc. greets you with salaam, then you should say “wa ‘alaykum,” as the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said.

These are some of the rights between a Muslim and a kaafir.

Another right is being a good neighbour. So if he is a neighbour, be kind to him and do not annoy him; give charity to him if he is poor, give him gifts, give him beneficial advice, because these are things that will attract him to Islam and to become Muslim; and because the neighbour has rights. The Messenger (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said:

“Jibreel kept urging me to be kind to my neighbour until I thought that he would make him my heir.” Saheeh - agreed upon.

If the neighbour is a kaafir, he still has the rights of a neighbour; if he is both a relative and a kaafir, then he has two rights: the rights of a neighbour and the rights of a relative. One of the rights of the neighbour is that you should give him charity, but not zakaah, if he is poor, because Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Allaah does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought not against you on account of religion nor drove you out of your homes. Verily, Allaah loves those who deal with equity” [al-Mumtahanah 60:8].

According to the saheeh hadeeth narrated from Asma’ bint Abi Bakr (may Allah be pleased with her), her mother, who was a mushrik, entered upon her during the truce between the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and the people of Makkah, seeking help. Asma’ asked the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) for permission - should she uphold ties of kinship with her? The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said:

“Uphold ties of kinship with her.”

But with regard to celebrating their festivals, the Muslim should not take part in celebrating their festivals, but there is nothing wrong with offering them condolences if a loved one dies, such as saying “May Allah compensate you in your loss” and other kind words. But he should not say “May Allah forgive him” or “May Allah have mercy on him” if the deceased was a kaafir, and he should not pray for the deceased if he was a kaafir. But he may pray for the one who is alive to be guided and to be compensated and so on.

End quote. Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn Baaz (may Allah have mercy on him). Fataawa Noor ‘ala al-Darb, 1/289-291.

A Husband's Duties towards his Wife

Few days back, I posted an Article titled, “A Woman's Duties towards her Husband” and in response to that, I received many requests for posting the duties of Husbands towards their Wives as well. This article is in the continuance to what I posted earlier. Hope the readers will appreciate.

A Husband's Duties towards his Wife

Almighty Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala has prescribed certain rights of the husband towards their wives. The Holy Qur’an says: “The women have almost the same rights over men as men have certain rights over the women in kindness.”

Beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam has said: “Best among you are those who behave well with their women.”

The Prophet of Allah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam has also said: “I make a Will to you about the women, so obey my will.”

In another Hadith, the Beloved Habeeb SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam is reported to have said: “No believing man should have enmity and hatred against a believing woman. If he dislikes certain habits of that woman, there would certainly be some virtues in her too.”

The Hadith means that the woman must be having both good and bad habits. Man should not always point out her bad habits only. He should also appreciate her good habits.

The Rights of the Wife

There are certain obligations that men owe to the women and these obligations should be fully appreciated.

1. Every husband has the obligation to provide for the sustenance of his wife. She should be provided with adequate food, a comfortable home, suitable clothes and other basic amenities of life. He should always bear in mind that this woman has disassociated herself from her parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends and has joined him to share all the ups and downs of life. Hence, it has become his duty to look after her basic needs and comforts.

2. It should be remembered that husbands, who never bother for the sustenance of their wives, commit a severe crime of depriving Allah’s SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala creatures of their rights. Such people would be dealt with severely in the Court of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala. The Holy Qur’an says: “Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means.” [4:34]

3. The husband should satisfy his wife’s physical needs. The Sharee’ah has not prescribed any limit for this. But, he has to ensure that woman’s minimum sexual requirements are met so that she may not commit a sin by eyeing other men in order to quench her thirst. There are certain men who, after marriage, do not take care of the sexual needs of their wives. Such people are great sinners and will be severely convicted in the Court of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala. Almighty Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala has granted women the right to conjugal relations with their husbands. The importance of this right can be well understood by the following example of Ameer al-Mo’mineen Sayyiduna Umar al-Farooq Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho. It is reported that he was on his routine inspection round at night in Madinatul Munawwara when he heard an old lady moaning and reciting melancholic couplets. The Caliph Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho stopped there and listened to the wailing lady. He Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho investigated the matter and came to know that the husband of the woman had gone for Jihad long time ago and this woman has been remembering her husband with these sad couplets. The Ameer Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho was deeply moved and immediately issued an official Decree to all chiefs of his army that no married man should be away from his wife for more than four months.

4. The husband should not beat up his wife without her committing a most severe crime. The Messenger of Allah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam has said: “Nobody should beat up his wife as he does beat up his slave. He should make love with her later some time.”

However, if the woman commits a bigger crime, the husband can beat her not in vengeance but with the intention of reforming her and as a warning.  While beating, he should take care that she should not be hurt seriously. The Books of Fiqha have mentioned that the husband can punish his wife for four things:

a. If the husband orders his wife to decorate herself with ornaments and legitimate make-up but she disobeys and remains dirty.
b. If the husband invites her to bed and she refuses without any legitimate reason.
c. If she does not take bath to purify herself after menses.
d. If she abstain from performing Salaah without a legitimate reason.

In the above circumstances, the husband should first persuade the wife. If she does not agree to comply with his requests, he may threaten her. If she still does not obey him, he can beat her barring her face. He should not beat her so severely to the extent of a fracture or a severe wound.

5. In order to bring peace and prosperity in the married life, both the wife and the husband should take care of each other’s sentiments and emotions. The anger of husband brings to the wife nothing but tension, depression and confusion. Similarly, the anger of the wife brings to the husband nothing but disappointment, mental torture, frustration and bitterness. It is, therefore, advisable to both husband and wife to be patient and compassionate in their dealings.

6. The husband should never appreciate the beauty and other merits of strange woman in front of his wife. This may lead to create jealousy and suspicion in the mind of his wife. She would think that her husband has some illicit relations with that woman. This thought is a poison that kills matrimonial relations. If a man cannot tolerate that his wife should wrongly be associated with another man, the wife also cannot tolerate another woman to share her husband. The woman cannot listen to praise and admiration of another woman through the lips of her husband even if that another woman happens to be his mother or sister or some other close relative.

7. Man is, undoubtedly, made a ruler over the woman but it does not mean that he should ask her to do a work, which is beyond her capacity, or a work which she would not like to do. If the husband still insists his wife to do the work against her will, she would accomplish that job unwillingly and this would create a sort of disgust against her husband, which would ultimately mar their matrimonial life.

8. The husband should from time to time censure the life style of his wife - sometimes in a harsh tone, sometimes with love and affection and sometimes with persuasion. There are husbands who always keep a rod hanging with their moustaches and never treat their wives in a good manner other than rebuking and beating them. Such wives get frustrated and start hating their husbands. There are other hen-pecked husbands who over-pamper their wives even after they commit severe blunders. Their wives become stubborn and outspoken.

9. The husband should implement this couplet of Sa’di of Shiraz in their life. He says: “Strictness and pampering are very good things but at appropriate times”. For example, the surgeon cuts open the wound but at the same time apply soothing ointment. Likewise, the husband should not be very strict nor very soft. A middle path always brings good results.

10. The husband, while setting out on a tour, should go to his wife and informally seek her consent in a loving manner and as a matter of goodwill. He may ask her to invoke the Almighty Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala that the journey may prove safe and beneficial for him. Similarly, while returning from the tour he should bring some exclusive gifts for her. This gesture would encourage the wife to think with satisfaction that my husband loves me to the extent that even if he was away engaged in his business activities, he remembered me. Thus, a simple initiative on the part of the husband will win over the heart of his wife.

11. If the woman brings anything from her father’s house or prepares herself and presents it to the husband, he should express gratitude and appreciate it. This will please her. The husband should never reject or discard or criticize any gift offered by his wife.

12. If the wife falls sick, the husband should dedicatedly look after her. He should take extra pain in her nursing, feeding, etc. This little service will win over the heart of the wife and she will be very grateful to the husband.

13. The husband should express his full confidence and trust in his wife and, to prove this, he should hand over the domain of the house to her so that she may feel dignified and involved. The Holy Prophet of Islam SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam has said that the woman is the guardian and caretaker of her husband’s house and Almighty Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala will take an account from her in this regard on the Day of Judgement.

14. The very benefit of relying on the wife would be that she would feel herself responsible for a vital department in the set up of the household. This will give the husband an opportunity to freely think of other things regarding the promotion and progress of his business.

15. The husband should never share the secrets of her wife with others. Sayyiduna Rasoolullah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam has said: “Worst is the person in the sight of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala who goes to his wife and then discloses her secrets and lowers her status in the eyes of others”. 

16. The husband should be neat and clean as he expects the same from his wife. He should look smart, dynamic and a loveable person.

17. The husband should provide her with the paraphernalia of personal hygiene such as soap, hair oil, comb, Mehndi, perfumes, etc.  so that the wife may keep herself neat and clean and in better looks.

18. The husband should not level charges of corrupt practices against his wife without going into the depth of the matter. The relationship between a husband and a wife is based purely on mutual understanding. They have to trust each other. Any baseless suspicion against each other would mar the relations of the husband and wife.  A Hadith says: “One Bedouin came to the court of the Holy Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam and said, ‘O Allah’s Apostle SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam, my wife has delivered a child who is dark complexioned and does not resemble me. I am sure it is not my child’. The Holy Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam said, ‘Do you have some camels?’ He said, ‘Yes, I have many camels’.  The Holy Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam asked, ‘What is the colour of those camels?’ He said, ‘They are brown’. The Prophet of Islam SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam asked, ‘Are there some grey camels among them?’ He said, ‘Yes, a few of them are grey’. The Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam said, ‘Tell me how those brown camels gave birth to these grey camels?’ He said, ‘Some camel among the ancestors of my brown camels would have been of grey colour and these grey camels might have taken their origin from that particular camel.’ The Holy Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam said, ‘Similarly, it is possible that anyone among your ancestors would have been of black complexion and your child might have inherited his genetic influence.’”

19. If there is some difference of opinion between the husband and wife, the husband should not make a hurry to pronounce divorce to her.  He should exercise restraint. After his anger subsides, he should ponder over the entire matter with a cool mind. He may seek the advice of his elders in this matter and decide whether or not there is a chance of reconciliation and settlement. If a point of understanding and reconciliation emerges, he should act accordingly and refrain from breaking the wedlock. The Beloved Habeeb SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam has said that the divorce is the most disliked things among the permissible things in the sight of Almighty Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala.

20. If both husband and wife feel that there is no way out except the separation, the husband should pronounce one Talaaq after the woman clears her menses.  There will be a temporary separation between them. This period will give them enough time to review their decision of separation. If they think that reconciliation is in their interest, the husband should take his wife back in his arms and forget what had happened between them.  But if they think that they can no more live together, the husband should pronounce the second Talaaq after she clears her menses. The second pronouncement separates both of them. They have still a time to think of reconciliation. If they decide to live together, they have to perform the Nikah afresh after the period of Iddat is over. If they do not go for any reconciliation till the completion of the Iddat period, the third Talaaq will automatically come into force bringing a permanent separation between them. They cannot enter wedlock unless they go for Halalah. Halalah means that the woman should marry another man and have physical intercourse with him. The husband number two should divorce her. After the completion of the period of Iddat, she can marry the husband number one again.

21. There are some ignorant persons who play with the word Talaaq. They pronounce the divorce over minor clashes with their wives. After the pronouncement of divorce they repent and rush to the theologians and Muftis and force them to give a verdict in their favour. Some persons, while approaching the theologians, tell a lie that they had pronounced only one Talaaq. The Mufti has to allow them to retain their wives according to the Law of Sharee’ah. Thus, these ignorant people get themselves involved in establishing relations with a woman who is otherwise not to be taken as wife without Halalah.

22. If a man possesses more than one wife, it is obligatory on him to do justice with them. There should be equal treatment among wives in respect of sustenance, living conditions and personal attention. He has to spend equal time with every one of them. The Holy Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam has said that if a man has two wives and does not treat them equally, he would be raised on the Day of Judgment with half his body paralysed. 

23. If the husband faces some trouble because of the misbehaviour of his wife, he should try to avoid her and keep patience. Woman’s arrogance and foolishness is a natural phenomenon. The Glorious Prophet of Islam SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam has said: “Woman has been created from the bent rib of Adam Alaihis Salam. If somebody tries to make the bent bone straight, it will rather break instead of becoming straight”. Similarly, if someone tries to set his wife right, there will be more a chance of separation instead of improvement in her nature.

24. The husband should not behave as a miser in meeting the materialistic requirements of his wife nor should he go for extravagance in her maintenance. He should define his expenditure as per his capacity.

25. The husband should not confine his wife within the four walls of his house. She should be taken to her parents and relatives from time to time provided these visits do not bring any trouble to the peace of his house.