In The name of Allah,The most Gracious.The most Merceful




All praises are due to Allah, and may Allah exalt the praises and send Peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his Family and Companions.

To begin with, I would like to sincerely congratulate you from the bottom of my heart, which loves you for the sake of Allah, for the guidance Allah has granted and favored upon you to accept the correct religion and to act according to it. I ask Allah that he keeps us both, as well as all the Muslims, firm upon this great religion until we meet Him, and not becoming apostate nor being put through a trial.

Indeed a true Muslim feels great joy when someone accepts Islam, for he wishes well for others and wants them to live as he does himself: a life of comfort and delight with spiritual joy and mental stability. This can only result from implementing the teachings of Islam. Allah (I) says:

“Whoever works righteousness - whether male or female – while he [or she] is a true believer, verily, to him we shall give a good life, and we shall pay them certainly a good reward according to the best of what they used to do.” [Surah an-Nahl (16):97]

Allah (I) clarified the condition of those who do not believe in Him and what He revealed. Allah (I) says:

“And whoever turns away from My Reminder, verily, for him is a life of hardship, and We shall raise him up blind on the Day of Resurrection. * He will say, ‘O my Lord! Why have I you raised me up blind, while [before] I had sight.’ * He [Allah] will say, ‘Like this Our Aayaat [proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.] came to you, but you disregarded them, and so this Day, you will be neglected.’ ” [Surah Taa-Haa (20):124-126]

A true Muslim also wishes that they live happily forever in the Hereafter, whose delights are never-ending. Allah (I) says:

“Verily those who believe and do righteous deeds shall have the Gardens of Firdaws (the highest level of Heaven) for their entertainment. * Therein they shall dwell [forever]. No desire will they have for removal therefrom.” [Surah al-Kahf (18):107-108]

The end is inevitable; it is either eternal happiness or eternal remorse. Whoever dies upon disbelief - and refuge is sought in Allah - he will reside in Hellfire for eternity. Allah (I) says:

“Verily those who disbelieve from the people of the Book and the polytheists will abide in the Fire of Hell. They are the worst of creatures.” [Surah al-Bayyinah (98):6]

My noble brothers and sisters, indeed it is a great blessing and favor of Allah that He has guided you to Islam and has saved you from disbelief. There are many who have not been granted the guidance to realize that Islam is the correct religion; and there are others who have, but have not been granted the guidance to follow it. You must thank Allah, my brothers and sisters, for this favor from Allah and this sacred gift which He has chosen for you over others. Ask Allah that He keeps you firm upon this religion until you meet Him. Allah (I) says:

“They regard as a favor to you [O Muhammad (r)] that they have embraced Islam Say, ‘Count not your Islam as a favor to me. Nay but Allah has conferred a favor upon you that He has guided you to the Faith, if you indeed are true.’ ” [Surah al-Hujuraat (49):17]

We are all humans, and all humans are in dire need of Allah. Allah (I) says:

“O Mankind! It is you who stand in need of Allah. But Allah is Rich (Free of all needs), Worthy of all praise.” [Surah al-Faatir (35):15]

Allah (I) is in no need of us: He neither benefits from our obedience and worship, nor is He harmed by our disbelief and disobedience. Allah (I) says:

“If you disbelieve, then verily Allah is not need of you, He likes not disbelief for His slaves. And if you are grateful [by being believers] He is pleased with that for you.” [Surah az-Zumar (39):7]

The Messenger of Allah (r) said in a Hadeeth Qudsi[1],

“Allah said: ‘O My servants! I have forbidden dhulm (oppression and injustice) for Myself, and I have made it forbidden amongst you, so do not oppress one another. O My servants, all of you are astray except those whom I have guided, so seek guidance from Me and I shall guide you. O My servants, all of you are hungry except those whom I have fed, so seek food from Me and I shall feed you. O My servants, all of you are naked except those whom I have clothed, so seek clothing from Me and I shall clothe you. O My servants, you commit sins by day and by night, and I forgive all sins, so seek forgiveness from Me and I shall forgive you. O My servants, you will not attain harming Me so as to harm me, and you will not attain benefiting Me so as to benefit Me. O My servants, if the first of you and the last of you, and the humans of you and the Jinn[2] of you, were all as pious as the most pious heart of any individual amongst you, then this would not increase My Kingdom an iota. O My servants, if the first of you and the last of you, and the humans of you and the Jinn of you, were all as wicked as the most wicked heart of any individual amongst you, then this would not decrease My Kingdom an iota. O My servants, if the first of you and the last of you, and the humans of you and the Jinn of you, were all to stand together in one place and ask of Me, and I were to give everyone what he requested, then that would not decrease what I Possess, except what is decreased of the Ocean when a needle is dipped into it. O My servants, it is but your deeds that I account for you, and then recompense you for. So he who finds good, let him praise Allah, and he who finds other than that, let him blame no one but himself.’ ” (Muslim)



How Does One Enter the Fold of Islam?



In order to enter the fold of Islam and become a Muslim, there are no specific religious rituals or customs that one need to perform, neither in specific areas nor in front of specific people. This is due to the fact that Islam is a direct relationship between the slave and His Lord without any intermediaries. Also one does not need to exert great efforts [to enter its fold], he merely needs to utter a few words which are easy on the tongue but very weighty in meaning. One who has decided to become Muslim says the following words in order to enter the fold of Islam, which is called the ‘Shahaadataan’[3]:

“Ash-hadu an laa ilaaha ill-Allah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan ‘abd-ullahi wa rasooluh.

“I testify that there is no true deity except Allah, and I testify that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.”

This statement is the key to the door of Islam. Whoever utters it shuns all other religions besides Islam and all beliefs which differ from it. Through this statement, he receives the rights which all other Muslims receive, and he must fulfill the rights which all other Muslims must fulfill. His wealth, honor and blood become consecrate and protected, except for those cases in which the Islamic law needs to intercede. It is true that one is regarded to be a Muslim by what is outward and apparent and that only Allah knows what is truly in his heart, but one must know the meanings found in the Shahaadataan.







The

Shahaadataan



The Meaning of Laa Ilaaha Ill-Allah



This is the phrase of Tawheed[4]. Due to this concept Allah brought the creation into being, and due to this concept He created Paradise and Hellfire. Allah (I) says:

“And I have neither created the Jinn nor humans except to worship Me.” [Surah adh-Dhaariyaat (51):56]

This is the belief which all the Prophets and Messengers called to, from Adam, the first Prophet, to Muhammad, the last messenger, may the Safety and Blessings of Allah be upon them all. Allah (I) says:

“And we have not sent before you any messenger except that We have revealed to him that there is no deity that is worshipped in truth except Me, so worship and obey Me.” [Surah al-Anbiyaa (10):25]



The Meanings of the Shahaadah:

· There is no Creator of this existence except Allah. Allah (I) says:

“Such is Allah, your Lord! Laa ilaaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the Creator of all things. So worship and obey Him (Alone), and He is the Wakeel (Trustee, Disposer of affairs, Guardian, etc.) over all things.” [Surah al-An‘aam (6):102]

· There is no True Master and Owner present in this existence except Allah.[5] Allah (I) says:

“Surely, His is the Creation and Commandment. Blessed be Allah, the Lord of the ‘aalameen (mankind, Jinns and all that exists)!” [Surah al-A’raaf (7):54]

· No deity deserves servitude and worship except Allah.[6] Allah says:

“No doubt! Verily, to Allah belongs whosoever is in the heavens and whosoever is in the earth. And those who worship and invoke others besides Allah, in fact, follow not the (Allah’s so-called) partners, they follow only a conjecture and they only invent lies.” [Surah Yunus (10):66]

· All the Names and Attributes of Allah are perfect and complete.[7] He is high above and free from all faults and shortcomings. Allah (I) says:

“And (all) the Most Beautiful Names belong to Allah, so call on Him by them, and leave the company of those who belie or deny (or utter impious speech against) His Names. They will be requited for what they used to do.” [Surah al-A’raaf (7):180]




The Conditions of the Shahaadah

It is not enough that one merely utter the Shahaadah for it to be accepted by Allah. It is the key to the gates of Paradise, but in order for it to work, it needs to have the right ridges. The Shahaadah must meet the following conditions for it to be accepted by Allah:

1) Knowledge: One must have knowledge that all other deities worshipped besides Allah are false, so there is no deity worshipped in truth except Allah. Never should anyone else be worshipped, even if he be a prophet, a messenger or an angel. Allah is the only one who deserves all types worship, such as prayer [Salaah], supplication (du‘aa), hope, sacrificial slaughtering, making oaths, etc. Whoever directs any type of worship to other than Allah has committed kufr[8], even if he uttered the Shahaadataan.

2) Certainty: One must have certainty in the Shahaadah. Certainty is the opposite of doubt, so there is no room for a person to doubt or waver in his belief. Allah (I) says:

“The believers are only those who have believed in Allah and His Messenger, and afterward doubt not, and strive with their wealth and their lives for the Cause of Allah. Those! They are the truthful.” [Surah al-Hujuraat (49):15]

3) Acceptance: One should accept the Shahaadah fully and not reject it.[9] Allah (I) says:

“Truly, when it was said to them, “Laa ilaaha ill-Allah (no deity is worshipped in truth except Allah),” they puff themselves up with pride and deny it.” [Surah as-Saffaat (37):35]

4) Compliance, obedience and acting upon all what the Shahaadah necessitates.[10] A person must do according to what Allah ordered and abstain from what He prohibited. Allah (I) says:

“And whosoever submits his face to Allah, while he is a Muhsin[11] (doer of good), then he has grasped the most trustworthy hand*hold [La ilaha ill-Allah]. And to Allah return all matters for decision.” [Surah Luqman (31):22]

5) Truthfulness: One must be truthful in his shahaadah.[12] Allah (I) says:

“They say with their tongues what is not in their hearts.” [Surah al-Fat-h (48):11]

6) Sincerity of worship: One must make his worship and obedience sincerely for Allah alone.[13] Allah (I) says:

“And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, following the religion purely and sincerely for Him, turning away from other religions.” [Surah al-Bayyinah (98):5]

7) Love: One must love Allah, His Messenger, and His righteous slaves. He must hate and show enmity towards all who show enmity to Allah and His Messenger. He must prefer what Allah and His Messenger love, even if it is different to what he desires. Allah (I) says:

“Say: If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your kindred, the wealth that you have gained, the commerce in which you fear a decline, and the dwellings in which you delight… are dearer to you than Allah and His Messenger, and fighting in His Cause, then wait until Allah brings about His Decision (torment). And Allah guides not the people who are faasiqoon (the rebellious and disobedient to Allah).” [Surah at-Tawbah (9):24]

The Shahaadah also necessitates that Allah is the only one who has the right to legislate, whether it be in matters concerning worship, or matters concerning the government of human relations in both the individual and public affairs. The act of making something prohibited or lawful is for Allah alone. His Messenger (r) merely explained and clarified Allah’s commandments. Allah (I) says:

“And whatsoever the Messenger gives you, take it, and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it).” [Surah al-Hashr (59):7]



The Fruits of having Eemaan[14] (Belief) in Allah

1) In realizing and implementing the Shahaadah fully, one frees himself from the worship of humanity and instead worships his only Lord and God. In doing so, one ceases to be dependent upon the creation, whether in worship, fear, hope, and the likes. Allah (I) says:

“Say: ‘Tell me then, the things that you invoke besides Allah, if Allah intended some harm for me, could they remove His harm, or if He (Allah) intended some mercy for me, could they withhold His Mercy?’ Say: ‘Sufficient for me is Allah; in Him those who trust (i.e. believers) must put their trust.’ ” [Surah az-Zumar (39):38]

2) Peace of heart, mind and soul. Allah (I) says:

“Those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah - Islamic Monotheism), and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allah, Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.” [Surah ar-Ra’d (13):28]

3) The sense of security which is realized through the knowledge that there is someone to turn to in times of hardship. Allah (I) says:

“And when harm touches you upon the sea, those that you call upon besides Him vanish from you except Him (Allah Alone). But when He brings you safely to land, you turn away (from Him). And man is ever ungrateful.” [Surah al-Israa´ (17):67]

4) The spiritual joy which one feels in worshipping Allah. This is due to the fact that the goal which he is trying to achieve (Paradise) cannot be reached except after death. So you see him persistently striving to achieve this goal by doing righteous deeds, rendering servitude sincerely and purely to Allah alone. Allah (I) says:

“Say: ‘Verily, my Salaah (prayer), my sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, the Lord of the ‘aalameen (mankind, Jinns and all that exists). He has no partner. * And of this I have been commanded, and I am the first of the Muslims.’ ” [Surah al-An‘aam (6):162-163]

5) The Guidance and Success which is granted by Allah to those that believe in Him. Allah (I) says:

“…and whosoever believes in Allah, He guides his heart [to the true Faith with certainty], and Allah is the All-Knower of everything.” [Surah at-Taghaabun (64):11]

6) The love of righteousness and its propagation amongst the masses. Allah (I) says:

“So whosoever does good equal to the weight of an atom (or a small ant), shall see it.” [Surah al-Zilzaal (99):7]

The Prophet (r) said:

“Indeed the one who leads another to do a righteous deed is like the one who actually does it out (i.e. he will receive the same reward).” (Tirmidhi)

One who has Eemaan in Allah must also have Eemaan in all the things which He has informed us, and from them are the following:



Eemaan in the Angels



To have Eemaan in the angels is to believe that from the creations of Allah’s are the angels. No-one knows their exact number except Him. They are from the world of the Unseen, and Allah (I) created them to worship and obey Him. They carry out the commands of Allah in various affairs, such as administration, observation, and guarding and protecting the universe as well its creatures, all according to Allah’s Will and Order. Allah (I) says:

“The Messiah (Jesus u) will never be so proud to reject being a slave to Allah, nor [will] the angels who are near (to Allah).” [Surah an-Nisaa´ (4):172]

The angels act as emissaries between Allah and His messengers amongst humankind. Allah (I) says:

“Which the trustworthy Spirit [Jibreel (Gabriel)] has brought down; * Upon your heart (O Muhammad r) that you may be (one) of the warners, * In a plain Arabic ********.” [Surah ash-Shu‘araa´ (26):193-195]

Allah created them to take charge of different tasks which He commands them:

“They fear their Lord above them, and they do what they are commanded.” [Surah an-Nahl (16):50]

The angels are not partners, associates, or rivals with Allah, nor are they His children; but one must still respect and love them. Allah (I) says:

“And they say: ‘The Most Beneficent (Allah) has begotten a child [from the angels].’ Glory to Him! They (the angels), are but honored slaves. They speak not until He has spoken, and [then] they act on His Command.” [Surah al-Anbiyaa´ (21):26-27]

They constantly engage their time worshipping and obeying Allah, glorifying Him and praising Him. Allah (I) says:

“They (i.e. the angels) glorify His Praises night and day, (and) they never slacken (in doing so).” [Surah al-Anbiyaa´ (21):20]

The angels were created from light. The Prophet (r) said:

“The angels were created from light, the Jinn were created from a smokeless flame of fire, and Adam was created from what was described to you (in the Qur`an: black dry clay).” (Muslim)

Although they were created from light, they cannot be seen. Allah (I) has, though, given them the ability change their appearance in order to be seen and witnessed. Allah informed us that Jibreel (u) came to Maryam (Mary) in the form of a human:

“She placed a screen [to screen herself] from them; then We sent to her a Spirit from us (Jibeel u), and he appeared before her in the form of a man in all respects. * She said: ‘Verily! I seek refuge with the Most Beneficent (Allah) from you, if you do fear Allah.’ * [The angel] said: ‘I am only a Messenger from your Lord, [to announce] to you the gift of a righteous son.’ ” [Surah Maryam (19):17-19]

The Prophet (r), though, did see Jibreel (u) in the true form Allah created him. He had six hundred wings, and the whole horizon was obstructed due to his great size.

Allah informed us of the names and tasks of some of the angels. One of them is Jibreel (u), and he was given the task of revelation. Allah (I) says:

“Which the trustworthy Rooh [Jibreel (Gabriel)] has brought down; * Upon your heart (O Muhammad r) that you may be (one) of the warners.” [Surah as-Shu‘araa´ (26):193-194]

Israafeel is the angel who was given the task to blow the horn on the Day of Resurrection, and Meekaa`eel is in charge of the rain and the plants. Also, every human has been appointed with two angels, one which records his righteous deeds and another which records his sins. Allah (I) says:

“(Remember!) that the two recorders (angels) record, sitting on his right and his left. Not a word does he (or she) utter, but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it).” [Surah Qaaf (50):17-18]

The angel of Death (Malak-ul-Mawt) is the angel given the task of taking people’s souls at the time of death. Allah (I) says:

“Say: ‘The angel of death who is set over you will take your souls, then you shall be brought back to your Lord.’ ” [Surah as-Sajdah (32):11]

Maalik is the angel who was given the task of guarding the Hellfire. Allah (I) says:

“And they will cry: ‘O Maalik! Let your Lord make an end of us.’ He will say: ‘Verily you shall abide forever.’” [Surah az-Zukhruf (43):77]

Ridwaan is the angel who is charged with guarding Jannah[15], and there others as well charged with guarding humans. There are many more, and each has been assigned a specific task. Some have been mentioned in the Qur`an and the Sunnah[16], while others have not, but we must have Eemaan in them all.



Fruits of Eemaan in the Angels

Through the belief in Angels, one benefits in the following ways:

1) We come to know the Magnificence of Allah (I), His ability, and His All-Encompassing Knowledge and Will, for indeed the magnificence of His creation is a proof of the magnificence of the Creator.

2) When a Muslim feels that there are angels closely watching what he is saying and doing, and that everything he does is either for him or held against him, he is keen to perform righteous deeds and abstain from sins, whether he is alone or in public.

3) One is saved from fables and superstitions held by those who do not believe in the Unseen [properly].

4) One comes to know the Mercy which Allah shows to His righteous slaves.