Kisah Perang Badar

Perang Badar terjadi pada 7 Ramadhan, dua tahun setelah hijrah. Ini adalah peperangan pertama yang mana kaum Muslim (Muslimin) mendapat kemenangan terhadap kaum Kafir dan merupakan peperangan yang sangat terkenal karena beberapa kejadian yang ajaib terjadi dalam peperangan tersebut. Rasulullah Shallalaahu 'alayhi wa sallam telah memberikan semangat kepada Muslimin untuk menghadang khafilah suku Quraish yang akan kembali ke Mekkah dari Syam. Muslimin keluar dengan 300 lebih tentara tidak ada niat untuk menghadapi khafilah dagang yang hanya terdiri dari 40 lelaki, tidak berniat untuk menyerang tetapi hanya untuk menunjuk kekuatan terhadap mereka. Khafilah dagang itu lolos, tetapi Abu Sufyan telah menghantar pesan kepada kaumnya suku Quraish untuk datang dan menyelamatkannya. Kaum Quraish maju dengan pasukan besar yang terdiri dari 1000 lelaki, 600 pakaian perang, 100 ekor kuda, dan 700 ekor unta, dan persediaan makanan mewah yang cukup untuk beberapa hari. Kafir Quraish ingin menjadikan peperangan ini sebagai kemenangan bagi mereka yang akan meletakkan rasa takut di dalam hati seluruh kaum bangsa Arab. Mereka hendak menghancurkan Muslimin dan mendapatkan keagungan dan kehebatan. Banyangkan, pasukan Muslimin dengan jumlah tentara yang kecil (termasuk 2 ekor kuda), keluar dengan niat mereka hanya untuk menghadang 40 lelaki yang tidak bersenjata akan tetapi harus menghadapi pasukan yang dipersiapkan dengan baik -3 kali- dari jumlah mereka. Rasulullah SAW dengan mudah meminta mereka Muslimin untuk perang dan mereka tidak akan menolak, akan tetapi, beliau SAW ingin menekankan kepada pengikutnya bahwa mereka harus mempertahankan keyakinan dan keimanan dan untuk menjadi pelajaran bagi kita. Beliau SAW mengumpulkan para sahabatnya untuk mengadakan musyawarah. Banyak di antara sahabat Muhajirin yang memberikan usulan, dengan menggunakan kata-kata yang baik untuk menerangkan dedikasi mereka. Tetapi ada seorang sahabat yaitu Miqdad bin Al-Aswad ra., dia berdiri dihadapan mereka yang masih merasa takut dan berkata kepada Rasulullah SAW, "Ya Rasulullah (SAW)!, Kami tidak akan mengatakan kepadamu seperti apa yang dikatakan oleh bani Israel kepada Musa (AS), 'Pergilah kamu bersama Tuhanmu, kami duduk (menunggu) di sini'( Dalam surah Al-Maidah). Pergilah bersama dengan keberkahan Allah dan kami akan bersama dengan mu !". Rasulullah SAW merasa sangat suka, akan tetapi Rasulullah hanya diam, beliau menunggu dan beberapa orang dari sahabat dapat mengetahui keinginan Beliau SAW. Sejauh ini hanya sahabat Muhajirin yang telah menyatakan kesungguhan mereka, akan tetapi Beliau menuggu para sahabat Anshor yang sebagian besar tidak hadir dalam baiat 'Aqaabah untuk turut serta dalam berperang melawan kekuatan musuh bersama-sama Rasulullah SAW di luar kawasan mereka. Maka, pemimpin besar sahabat Anshor, Sa'ad bin Muadh angkat bicara, "Ya Rasulullah (SAW) mungkin yang engkau maksudkan adalah kami". Rasulullah SAW menyetujuinya. S'ad kemudian menyampaikan pidatonya yang sangat indah yang mana dia berkata, "Wahai utusan Allah, kami telah mempercayai bahwa engkau berkata benar, Kami telah memberikan kepadamu kesetiaan kami untuk mendengar dan thaat kepadamu... Demi ALlah, Dia yang telah mengutusmu dengan kebenaran, jika engkau memasuki laut, kami akan ikut memasukinya bersamamu dan tidaka ada seorangpun dari kami yang akan tertinggal di belakang... Mudah-mudahan Allah akan menunjukkan kepadamu yang mana tindakan kami akan menyukakan mu. Maka Majulah bersama-sama kami, letakkan kepercayaan kami di dalam keberkahan Allah". Rasulullah sangat menyukai apa yang disampaikan dan kemudian beluai bersabda, "Majulah ke depan dan yakinlah yang Allah telah menjajikan kepadaku satu dari keduanya (khafilah dagang atau perang), dan demi Allah, seolah olah aku telah dapat melihat pasukan musuh terbaring kalah". Pasukan Muslimin bergerak maju dan kemudian berhenti sejenak di tempat yang berdekatan dengan Badar (tempat paling dekat ke Madinah yang berada di utara Mekkah). Seorang sahabat bernama, Al-Hubab bin Mundhir ra., bertanya kepada Rasulullah SAW, " Apakah ALlah mewahyukan kepadamu untuk memilih tempat ini atau ianya strategi perang hasil keputusan musyawarah?". Rasulullah SAW bersabda, "Ini adalah hasil strategi perang dan keputusan musyawarah". Maka Al-Hubab telah mengusulkan kembali kepada Rasulullah SAW agar pasukan Muslimin sebaiknya bermarkas lebih ke selatan tempat yang paling dekat dengan sumber air, kemudian membuat kolam persediaan air untuk mereka dan menghancurkan sumber air yang lain sehingga dapat menghalang orang kafir Quraish dari mendapatkan air. Rasulullah SAW menyetujui usulan tersebut dan melaksanakannya [*]. Kemudian Sa'ad bin Muadh mengusulkan untuk membangun benteng untuk Rasulullah SAW untuk melindungi beliau dan sebagai markas bagi pasukan Muslimin. Rasulullah SAW dan Abu Bakar ra. tinggal di dalam benteng sementara Sa'ad bin Muadh dan sekumpulan lelaki menjaganya. Rasulullah SAW telah menghabiskan sepanjang-panjang malam dengan berdoa dan beribadah walaupun beliau SAWmengetahui bahwa Allah ta'ala telah menjanjikannya kemenangan. Ianya melebihi cintanya dan penghambaannya dan penyerahandiri kepada Allah ta'ala dengan ibadah yang Beliau SAW kerjakan. Dan ianya telah dikatakan sebagai bentuk tertinggi dari ibadah yang dikenal sebagai 'ainul yaqiin.

source: http://azharjaafar.blogspot.com/2008/08/kisah-perang-badar.html

The Most Beautiful Love Story!

She was one of the noblest women around, coming from a very prominent family. She was also quite beautiful and the holder of a considerable amount of wealth, being a prominent businesswoman. To marry her,would have been a great feat for any man, and indeed, quite a few of the most prominent and wealthy men in society had asked for her hand.

Yet, she rejected them all; already being a widow, she had lost the desire to marry again.Until he came into her life. He was young man of 25, and although he was also of a noble family, he was an orphan and was not a man of many means.

He had made a meager living tending sheep in the hills surrounding the city. Yet, he had an impeccable moral character, and he was widely known as one of the most honest men around. That is what attracted her to him: she was looking for someone honest who could conduct business for her, as she – a woman in a fiercely patriarchal society – could not do it herself.

So, he started working for her. After he came back from his first business trip, she asked her servant, whom she sent with him, about him and his conduct. The servant amazed her by his report: this young man was the kindest, gentlest man he had ever met. Never did he treat the servant harshly, as many others do. Yet, there was more: as they traveled in the heat of the desert, the servant noticed that a cloud had followed them the entire time, shading them from the blazing sun.

The businesswoman was quite impressed with her new employee. Not only that, this new employee proved to be an astute businessman in his own right. He took his employer’s merchandise, sold it, and with the profits bought other merchandise that he sold again, thus profiting twice.

All this was enough for her: the embers of love in her heart that were once extinguished re-kindled again, and she resolved to marry this young man, who was 15 years younger than she. So, she sent her sister to this young man.

She asked him, “Why are you not married, yet?”

“For lack of means,” he answered.

“What if I could offer you a wife of nobility, beauty, and wealth? Would you be interested?” she told him.

He replied in the affirmative, but when she mentioned her sister, the young employee chuckled in amazement.

“How could I marry her? She has turned down the most noble men in the city, much wealthier and prominent than me, a poor shepherd,” he said.

“Don’t you worry,” the sister replied, “I’ll take care of it.”

Not long after, the wealthy businesswoman married her young employee, and it was the beginning of one of the most loving, happiest, and sacred marriages in all of human history: that of Prophet Muhammad and Khadijah, the daughter of Khuwaylid.

When they were married, the Prophet was 25 years old, and Khadijah was 40. Yet, that did not bother the Prophet even a bit. He loved her so deeply, and she loved him as deeply. They were married for 25 years, and she bore him seven children: 3 sons and 4 daughters.

All of the sons died in young age. Khadijah was a source of immense love, strength, and comfort for the Prophet Muhammad, and he leaned heavily on this love and support on the most important night of his life.

While he was meditating in cave of Hira, the Angel Gabriel(Jibrail) came to the Prophet Muhammad and revealed to him the first verses of the Qur’an and declared to him that he was to be a Prophet.

The experience terrified the Prophet Muhammad, and he ran home, jumping into Khadijah’s arms crying, “Cover me! Cover me!” She was startled by his terror, and after soothing and comforting him for a while, the Prophet was able to calm down and relate to her his experience.

The Prophet feared he was losing his mind or being possessed.

Khadijah put all his fears to rest: “Do not worry,” she said, “ for by Him who has dominion over Khadijah’s soul, I hope that you are the Prophet of this nation. Allah would never humiliate you, for you are good to your relatives, you are true to your word, you help those who are in need, you support the weak, you feed the guest and you answer the call of those who are in distress.”

She then took him to her cousin, Waraqah ibn Nawfal – a scholar well-versed in the Judeo-Christian scripture – and he confirmed to the Prophet that his experience was Divine and he was to be the Last Prophet.

After his ministry began, and the opposition of his people became harsh and brutal, Khadijah was always there to support the Prophet Muhammad, sacrificing all of her wealth to support the cause of Islam. When the Prophet and his family was banished to the hills outside of Mecca, she went there with him, and the three years of hardship and deprivation eventually led to her death.

The Prophet Muhammad mourned her deeply, and even after her death, the Prophet would send food and support to Khadijah’s friends and relatives, out of love for his first wife.

Once, years after Khadijah died, he came across a necklace that she once wore. When he saw it, he remembered her and began to cry and mourn.

His love for her never died, so much so, that his later wife A’isha became jealous of her. Once she asked the Prophet if Khadijah had been the only woman worthy of his love. The Prophet replied: “She believed in me when no one else did; she accepted Islam when people rejected me; and she helped and comforted me when there was no one else to lend me a helping hand.”

Much has been made and said about Prophet Muhammad’s multiple marriages. There are many who smear the Prophet as a womanizing philanderer, citing his multiple marriages.This is absolute propaganda. As a response to those who malign the Prophet. IF the Prophet were anything of the sort, he would have taken advantage of his youth to do such a thing. But he did not! At a time when it was a common custom to have multiple wives, the Prophet did not marry anyone else while he was with Khadijah.

It was only after Khadijah died (may God be pleased with her) that he married other women. Most of these wives were widows, whom the Prophet married to care after them, or they were the daughters of prominent Arab chieftains, so that the Prophet could form a cohesive Muslim society out of a fiercely tribalistic (and barbaric) Arab culture.

The smears against the Prophet fall flat on their faces once the light of truth shines brightly upon them. In a song about the Prophet and Khadjiah, Muslim rappers Native Deen sing: “We look for stories of love in places dark and cold – When we have a guiding light for the whole world to behold.”

Many of what we call “love stories” today are nothing more than stories of lust and desire, physical attraction disguised as love. Yet, I can find no love story more powerful, more spiritually uplifting, more awe inspiring as that of the Prophet Muhammad and Khadijah.

It is a shining example of what an ideal marriage is, and if I ever claim that I love my wife, I must gauge my actions with that of the Prophet, even if i found someone, perfectly for me,then i will love her with all my heart,deeply.

"What is to me, the greatest of all love stories: that of Muhammad and Khadijah."

Love, due to person Character and person involvement in Islam, not due to beauty or body looks. Don’t flirt with anyone feelings. Don’t break anyone trust. If you can’t fullfill your promise,then don’t start such relation.

http://www.iluvislam.com/english/motivation/inspiration/427-the-most-beautiful-love-story.html

The Humor of The Messenger of Allah

A Smile

Jareer ibn Abdullah Al-Bajali radi Allahu anhu narrated, Allah’s Messenger, did not showing off since I embraced Islam, and whenever he saw me he would receive me with a smile. Once I told him that I could not sit firm on horses. He stroked me on the chest with his hand and said, “O Allah! Make him firm and make him a guiding and a rightly-guided man.” [ibn Maajah, Graded Saheeh by Shaykh Albaani in Saheeh ibn Maajah]

Points of benefit:

a) The Prophet PBUH made each of his companions feel special. This is an attribute of a successful teacher, as each of his students will feel they have a special place with him.

b) Think about it: do you know anyone who smiles at you every time you see him/her? SubhanAllah, the Prophet PBUH was a mercy for all of creation. Jareer radi Allahu anhu said that since he accepted Islam, the Prophet PBUH would always smile at him. Try for one day to smile in the face of one person and see how it goes.

c) The Prophet PBUH was easily accessible to the people. It is hard for us nowadays to reach an influential person, yet the Prophet PBUH was readily available for his followers. As teachers and Imams in our communities, we should reflect upon this nature of our Messenger PBUH and intend to act upon it.

d) The Prophet PBUH made duaa for Jareer, even for something as small as sitting firmly on his horse. This is a reminder for us to always turn to Allah in every situation, make duaa for ourselves and others, even if it’s something that we feel is insignificant.

The Camel

Anas ibn Malik radi Allahu anhu narrated that a man came to the Prophet PBUH and said, “O Messenger of Allah! I want you to give me a camel to ride upon.” The Prophet PBUH said, “All that I can find for you is a child of a camel.” The man turned around and walked away, disappointed that the Prophet PBUH wanted to give him a baby camel upon which to ride. The Prophet PBUH then called him back and said, ‘And is not every camel (be it old or young) the child of a camel! [Abu Dawood, Graded Saheeh by Albani in Saheeh Abi Dawood]

Points of benefit:

a) The Companions regularly asked the Prophet PBUH for help/assistance, as they knew he would help them.

b) The Prophet PBUH called him back to explain the joke. Imagine having the Prophet PBUH explain his joke to you!

Old Women in Jannah

Hasan radi Allahu anhu narrated that an old woman went to the Prophet PBUH and asked him to pray to Allah for her entry into Jannah. The Prophet PBUH said, “O mother of so-and-so, no old woman enters Paradise.” On hearing this, the old woman returned weeping. The Prophet PBUH then called her back and said, Did you not hear the saying of Allah:

إنَّا أَنشَأْنَاهُنَّ إِنشَاءً

فَجَعَلْنَاهُنَّ أَبْكَارًا

عُرُبًا أَتْرَابًا

“Verily, We have created them (maidens) of special creation. And made them virgins. Loving (their husbands only), (and) of equal age.” [56:35-37]

Points of benefit:

a) Women had access to the Prophet PBUH.

b) The Prophet PBUH gave tafseer of the ayat from Surah Waqi’ah. Regardless of the age the believing woman died in, she will enter Jannah young.

c) Instead of giving her a straight answer, “yes you will enter Jannah”, the Prophet PBUH made the answer special for her—telling her that she will not only enter Jannah but will enter it in a state of youth.

d) The old woman, radi Allahu anha, cried profusely when she thought she was denied entry into Jannah.

With Allah you are Priceless

Anas ibn Malik radi Allahu anhu narrated, A Bedouin called Zaahir was selling his commodities in the market. The Prophet PBUH approached him from behind and, clasping his arms around Zaahir, challenged him to release himself from the grip. Then the Prophet PBUH called to those who passed by, ‘Who wants to buy this slave?’ Laughing and still in the Prophet’s grip, Zaahir responded, ‘There is no market for me. Nobody would want to buy me,’ [due to his age and deformed body] The Prophet replied, ‘But with Allah, you are priceless and invaluable.’ [Narrated by Ahmad]

Points of benefit:

a) The Prophet PBUH suprised his companion by coming from behind him, as if to wrestle him playfully.

b) The Prophet PBUH took the time out to publically visit someone who was considered from the lower class (Bedouins). He visited Zaahir radi Allahu anhu while he was working in the market.

c) The Prophet PBUH in a joking manner attempted to sell Zaahir, although he was not a slave. He showed the people who were around that he and this Bedouin were friends.

d) He comforted and raised the morale of Zaahir radi Allahu anhu by saying with Allah he is ‘ghaalin‘ (expensive and invaluable) after he said no one would be interested in buying him.

The Race

A’ishah radi Allahu anha narrated, “I went out with the Prophet on a journey. At that time I was a young girl and was quite slender. The Prophet told the people, ‘Go on ahead,’ so they went ahead, then he said to me, ‘Come, let us have a race.’ So I raced with him, and I won. He let the matter rest until I had gained weight. Later, I accompanied him on another journey. He told the people, ‘Go on ahead,’ so they went ahead. He said to me, ‘Come, let us have a race.’ So I raced with him, and he won. He began to laugh, and said, ‘This is for that.” [Narrated by Ahmad]

Points of benefit:

a) The wives of the Prophet PBUH would accompany him on journeys.

b) The Prophet PBUH sent his army ahead so he and his wife could have some privacy.

c) The Prophet PBUH was romantic throughout his life. We see here that he not only raced with A’ishah during an early time in their marriage, but he remembered this game they had from the past, as if he was keeping score, and intiated it again.

d) The Prophet PBUH did not tell A’ishah that she lost the race because she had gained weight, although she knew that was the reason.

e) Traveling causes fatigue, yet the Messenger of Allah PBUH phsyically exerted himself to have some fun with his wife.

These few accounts show the loving nature and fun side of the Prophet PBUH. O Allah, send your peace and blessings upon our Prophet and Messenger and grant him al Fadeelah and al Waseelah.

How To Convert to Islam

All praises be to Allah, the Lord of the Universe. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon Muhammad, His last Messenger

Dear reader on behalf of all the members of muslimconverts.com I welcome you to Islam. It always brings Muslims great joy when we hear of anyone wishing to convert to Islam. Muslims want to rush to tell their friends and family about this wonderful news. Muslims always love to hear how others converted to Islam. So for sure you will be greatly welcomed to Islam.

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. On the www.muslimconverts.com site we have people who accepted Islam from all ages, all backgrounds and nationalities.

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?

Click here to read more about wild past..

Click here to read more about sins committed before Islam...

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. This is explained in the article below in greater detail. Click here to read more...

How to become a Muslim

To become a Muslim one must simply pronounce the Shahaadatayn (Declaration of Faith) with sincerity and conviction.

The Shahadah can be declared as follows:

"ASH-HADU ANLA ELAHA ILLA-ALLAH WA ASH-HADU ANNA MOHAMMADAN RASUL-ALLAH".

The English translation is:

"I bear witness that there is no deity worthy to be worshiped but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger."

The Shahadah is the dividing line between unbelief (kufr) and Islam. It is also called the kalimah (word). Whoever says it with truthfulness will enter the Gardens of Paradise

It is [a kalimah] that Allah Himself has testified to, as have the angels and those who possess knowledge from amongst His creation. Allah the Most High said:


"Allah bears witness that none has the right to be worshiped except Him; as do the angels and those who possess knowledge. He maintains His creation upon justice. None has the right to be worshiped except Him, the All-Mighty, All-Wise."
[Soorah Aal-Imraan 3:18]

It is a concise declaration that contains few letters; light upon the tongue, yet heavy in the scales.

Prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam, who said: "A person from my ummah will be summoned in front of everyone on the Day of Resurrection. Ninety-nine scrolls will be unfurled for him, each scroll extending as far as the eye can see. Then it will be said: Do you deny any of this [i.e. your bad deeds]? So the man will reply: No, 0 Lord. Then it will be said: Do you have any excuse or any good deed? The man, in a state of terror, will answer: No. It will then be said: Rather, you do have some good deeds and no injustice will befall you this Day. So a parchment will be taken out for him, upon which there will be the testification of laa ilaaha illallaah and the testification that Muhammad is the Slave and Messenger of Allah. The man will say: 0h Lord, what is this parchment in comparison to those scrolls! It will be said to him: No injustice shall befall you. The scrolls will then be placed in one of the scales and the parchment in the other; the scrolls will be light in weight, whereas the parchment will be heavy." ( Reported by at-Tirmidhee (no.2641), from Abdullaah ibn Amr radhiyallahu anhu. It was declared to be saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaanee in as-Saheehah (no.135).

The first part of the Shahadah is laa ilaaha illallaah (none has the right to be worshiped except Allah) and the first part if the Shahadah has two pillars:

The first pillar is the pillar of negation (nafee), whilst the second is the pillar of affirmation (ithbaat). What is meant by negation is to negate divinity and worship (ilaahiyyah) for anything except Allah, the Most High. What is meant by affirmation is to affirm divinity and worship only for Allah the Most Perfect; for it is He alone that is the true Deity. So whatever else is taken by the unbelievers as deities to be worshiped are in fact all false and futile: That is because Allah is the true Deity to be worshiped, and whatever else they invoke besides Him is vain falsehood.

[Soorah al-Hajj 22:62]

Imam Ibn al-Qayyim said: The significance of laa ilaaha illallaah in affirming divinity and worship for only Allah is far greater than just saying that Allah is an ilaah. This is because the saying that Allah is an ilaah does not negate divinity and worship to other than Allah. This is different to the saying: laa ilaaha illallaah; which obligates restricting divinity and worship to only Allah.

All the messengers of Allah told their people none has the right to be worshiped except Allah

Allah said: "We did not send any Messenger before you, except that We revealed to him that none has the right to be worshiped except Me; so worship Me."

[Soorah al-Anbiyaa 21:25]

Allah the Exalted also said: "He sends down the angels with the revelation of His commands to whosoever of His slaves that He wills, saying: Warn mankind that none has the right to be worshiped except Me. So fear Me [by keeping away from sin and disobedience]."

[Soorah an-Nahl 16:2]

It is a concise declaration that contains few letters; light upon the tongue, yet heavy in the scales. Allah's Messenger Peace be upon him said: "Moses said: 0h my Lord! Teach me something by which I can remember You and supplicate to You. Allah said: 0h Moses! say laa ilaaha ilallaah. Moses said: 0h my Lord! All Your slaves say this. Allah said: 0h Moses! If the seven heavens and all that they contain, other than Me, and the seven earths were placed in one scale, and laa ilaaha ilallaah were put in the other, then laa ilaaha illallaah would outweigh them all." (Reported by Ibn Hibbaan in his Saheeh (no.2324) and al-Haakim in al-Mustadrak (1/528).

Ibn Uyaynah, (radhiyallahu anhu) said: "Allaah has not bestowed any favour upon His slaves greater than the favour of them realizing laa ilaaha ilallaah. Indeed laa ilaaha illallaah is to the people of Paradise, what cool water is to the people of this world." ( Related by Ibn Rajab in Kalimatul-Ikhlaas (p.53)

The second part of the "Shahadah" i.e. "Wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasuluh" means that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the servant and chosen messenger of Allah. No one should be in any doubt about this matter. In fact, the Muslim has to obey the commands of the Prophet (PBUH), to believe in what he has said, to follow his Teachings, to avoid what he has forbidden, and to worship A11ah alone according to the message revealed to him.

What is the meaning of worship? It simply means rendering sincere service; showing reverence for Allah. In a deeper shade of meaning, it implies total submission and complete obedience to Allah's Commandments both in utterances and actions, whether explicit or implicit and in private or public.

Worship falls into two categories:

1. Visible (manifest or outward)

Visible worship includes acts such as uttering the two parts of the "shahadah", performing prayers, giving Zakat (obligatory charity), observing the fast in the month of Ramadan, performing Hajj, recitation of the Holy Quran, supplication, adoring Allah by praising Him, purifying our bodies before prayers, etc.

This type of worship is associated with the movement of the parts of human body, [actions].

2. Invisible (concealed or inward)

Invisible worship is to believe in Allah, in the Day of Judgment, in the Hereafter, in the Angels, in the Books of Allah, in the Divine Decree of destiny (that good and bad are determined by Allah alone)

This type of worship does not involve movements of parts of the body but it surely has a bearing on one's heart which, subsequently, affects one's way of life (beliefs).

It should be borne in mind that worship not dedicated to Allah alone, will be rejected as one form of polytheism or "shirk", which amounts to apostasy, from the Islamic point of view.

How to declare the Shahadah

A person does NOT need to do a course or obtain a certificate to become a Muslim.

If there are no Majids (Mosques) and Muslims in your area; and you do not ahve a means of contacting any Muslims via phone or online then you can declare the Shahadah to your self.

At MuslimConverts.com we have helped brothers and sisters say the Shahadah via phone and via the Net. So if you wish for us to go through it with you step by step. Please do no not hesitate to leave us a message and we can arrange an online meeting at a mutually convenient time.

However, it is not sufficient for anyone to only utter this testimony orally either in private or in public; but rather, he or she should believe in it with a firm conviction and unshakable faith. Once you have said the Shahadah then you will be like a New Born Person. Free of any sins. Just like a child is born sinless.

From the Emails I received on the message board. I noticed some women have delayed their Shahadah because of menstruation. It does not matter if a woman is menstruating. You can say your Shahadah even when you are menstruating. The women do not go inside the prayer area of the Masjid (Mosque) when menstruating. However if they want to say their Shahadah at the Masjid they can arrange to say it say just outside the Masjid or part of the Masjid complex which is not regarded as the place of prayer.

Pledge of Allegiance

During the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him) the people would also give their Bai'a (pledge of allegiance ) and the Prophet peace be upon him would accept their pledge.

Pledge of allegiance being that they would obey his commands, Be on his, the Muslims and Islam side against the enemies of Islam even if the enemy was their own relatives and friends. That they would fight on the side of the Muslims. That they would not fight on the side of the non Muslims against the Muslims. That they would not give information to the non Muslims which they could used against the Muslims.

After the death of the Prophet (peace be upon him) the believing men and women would give their pledge of allegiance to the Muslim nation (khalif) and the Khalif would accept their pledge of allegiance.

During the treaty of hudaybiyah believing women would migrate to the Muslim side in the city of Madina and give their pledge of allegiance to the Prophet peace be upon him. To check those who migrated to the Islamic state in Madina were true believers and not just women who had run away from their non Muslim families. Allah revealed the following verse.

Allah said:

"O Prophet! When believing women come to you to give you the Bai'a (pledge), that they will not associate anything in worship with Allah, that they will not steal, that they will not commit illegal sexual intercourse, that they will not kill their children, that they will not utter slander, intentionally forging falsehood (i.e. by making illegal children belonging to their husbands), and that they will not disobey you in any Ma'ruf (everything good according to Islam) then accept their Bai'a (pledge), and ask Allah to forgive them, Verily, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful". (Quran 60:12)

So the Prophet would say to them "Pledge to me in that you will not associate any with Allah, nor steal, nor commit Zina, nor kill your children" Then he would recite the above verse (Quran 60 verse 12) and when the women agreed to those conditions then he would say I have accepted your pledge and he would add "Those among you who fulfill this pledge, will receive their reward from Allah. Those who deviate from any of it and receive the legal punishment (in this life), the punishment will be expiation for that sin. Whoever deviates from any of it and Allah screens him, then it is up to Allah to punish or forgive if He wills."

The Prophet peace be upon him would shake the hands of the men who had give their pledge. In case of women he only took their pledge by word because in Islam a it is not allowed to shake hands with the opposite sex who are non mehrem.

Narrated 'Ubada bin As-Samit:

who took part in the battle of Badr and was a Naqib (a person heading a group of six persons), on the night of Al-'Aqaba pledge: Allah's Apostle said while a group of his companions were around him, "Swear allegiance to me for:

1. Not to join anything in worship along with Allah.
2. Not to steal.
3. Not to commit illegal sexual intercourse.
4. Not to kill your children.
5. Not to accuse an innocent person (to spread such an accusation among people).
6. Not to be disobedient (when ordered) to do good deed."

The Prophet added: "Whoever among you fulfills his pledge will be rewarded by Allah. And whoever indulges in any one of them (except the ascription of partners to Allah) and gets the punishment in this world, that punishment will be an expiation for that sin. And if one indulges in any of them, and Allah conceals his sin, it is up to Him to forgive or punish him (in the Hereafter)." 'Ubada bin As-Samit added: "So we swore allegiance for these." (points to Allah's Apostle) (Bukhari Volume: 1, Book Number: 2, Hadith Number: 17)


Narrated Jarir bin Abdullah:

I gave the pledge of allegiance to Allah's Apostle for the following:

1. offer prayers perfectly
2. pay the Zakat (obligatory charity)
3. and be sincere and true to every Muslim.

(Bukhari Book Number: 2, Hadith Number: 54)

Narrated Ziyad bin'Ilaqa:

I heard Jarir bin 'Abdullah (Praising Allah). On the day when Al-Mughira bin Shu'ba died, he (Jarir) got up (on the pulpit) and thanked and praised Allah and said, "Be afraid of Allah alone Who has none along with Him to be worshiped.(You should) be calm and quiet till the (new) chief comes to you and he will come to you soon. Ask Allah's forgiveness for your (late) chief because he himself loved to forgive others." Jarir added, "Amma badu (now then), I went to the Prophet and said, 'I give my pledge of allegiance to you for Islam." The Prophet conditioned (my pledge) for me to be sincere and true to every Muslim so I gave my pledge to him for this. By the Lord of this mosque! I am sincere and true to you (Muslims). Then Jarir asked for Allah's forgiveness and came down (from the pulpit).(Bukhari 4: Volume: 1, Book Number: 2, Hadith Number: 55)

Unfortunately the Islamic state was destroyed in 1924 and since then we have had no khalif.

However we will have it one day and in the meantime those Muslims should take note of this pledge of Allegiance and the need for a khalif. Thus even in the absence of the Khalif a Muslim should sincerely adhere to the conditions that Muslims used to pledge to. So a persons loyalty should be with the true Muslims.

Thus a Muslim should not be aiding in the killing of Muslims or the Invasion of Muslim lands. We should be working for the reestablishment of the Khailifate (Islamic state) under one leader (Khalif).

We should know we have our own flag and our own nation. We are one nation (one Ummah) of almost 1.5 billion. We may be scattered all around the globe but our loyalty should be with each other. Thus we should not be in the armed forces of the non Muslims. Even in the Armed forces of the Muslim countries we can not obeying orders which are against Islam or call for fighting on bases of nationalism, or spreading of man made laws and unIslamic practices.

As Muslims we should allow Islam to change us into the kind of human beings that our creator loves and not try and change Islam to fit us. Therefore some old habits and ways of thinking will have to be left behind. It will take time to leave old habits and ways of thinking but as you become more Allah conscious, you will start leaving those old habits and ideas which are not in accordance to Islam.

We should strive to be the perfect Muslims but we should remember that people do mess up from time to time and end up committing sins

We should remember that Allah is most merciful and if we sincerely repent from a sin, Allah will forgive us.

Allah loves to see his slaves turn to Him in sincere repentance. Allah knows who is sincere in repentance.

The Conditions of the Shahadah

Pronouncing the testimony of faith is sufficient to make one a convert to Islam. There are however, seven conditions that must be observed before it can effectively make one a Muslim. These are describe as follows:

1 Knowledge (Al-ilm)

Knowledge (al-ilm) of its meaning, what it negates and affirms. If a person says it without knowing its meaning, nor what its requirements are, then he will not benefit by it, because he has not believed in what it requires. Rather, he is like someone who speaks in a language that he does not understand.

2 Certainty (Al-Yaqeen)

The heart must be firmly certain of the meaning of Shahadah without a blemish of doubt.

Allah the Exalted says:" Verily, the believers are only those who truly believe in Allah and His Messenger, and then doubt not. (Quran 49:15).

The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: "I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I am the Messenger of Allah. No slave meets Allah with this testimony, having no doubt in it but shall enter Jannah."( Muslim) :

3 Sincerity (Al-Ikhlaas)

Exclusively worshiping Allah, which is contrary to shirk. This is what laa ilaaha illallaah points towards.

Allah, the Exalted, said:" And they were not commanded but to worship Allah, being sincere in devoting religion to Him." (Quran 98:5).

Abu Hurairah said:" I asked the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him: Messenger of Allah! Who will be most fortunate to enjoy your shafa'ah (intercession) on the Day of Resurrection? The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: I was certain that no one else would ask me about this other than you, because I have noticed your keenness for hadeeth. The most fortunate of men who will enjoy my shafa'ah on the Day of Resurrection is the one who says: (La Ilaha Illa Allah) "None has the right to be worshiped except Allah", sincerely from his heart.."(Musnad al-Imam Ahmad.)

4 Truthfulness (As-Sidq)

Truthfulness (as-sidq), which prevents hypocrisy (nifaaq). Indeed, the hypocrites uttered it with their tongues, but did not inwardly believe in what it signified.

The Messenger of Allah said: "Anyone testifies that there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, truthfully from his heart, Allah would forbid his admittance to the Fire."(Muslim)

5 Love and affection (Al-Mahabbah )

Love (al-mahabbah) for this kalimah and having love and pleasure for whatever it necessitates. This is contrary to the [state of the] hypocrites.

The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: "There are three (qualities), whoever possesses them, will taste the sweetness of Iman (belief): to love Allah and His Messenger more than anyone else, to love the Muslim only for the sake of Allah, and to dread returning to kufr (apostasy) as he dreads being thrown in fire." ( Bukhari and Muslim.)

Allah says to His Messenger (peace be upon him)

Say (O Muhammad SAW to mankind): "If you (really) love Allah then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the Quran and the Sunnah), Allah will love you and forgive you of your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (3:31)

Allah says: "Allah shall bring forth a people whom He loves and they love Him." (Quran 5:54)

The Prophet, peace be upon him, also said: "None of you shall (really) believe until I become dearer to him than his own father, and son and all mankind." ( Bukhari and Muslim.)

6 Submission (Al-Inqiyaad) internally and externally

Submissive compliance (al-inqiyaad), by fulfilling its rights - which are the obligatory actions - with sincerity to Allah and seeking His good pleasure. This is its requirement.

Allah, the Exalted, says: "And he who submits himself to Allah, and does good, he has surely grasped a strong handle." ( Quran 31:22).

Allah also says:" And turn you to your Rabb, and submit yourselves to Him." (:Quran 39:54).

7 Acceptance and conformity (Al-Qubool )

Acceptance (al-qabool), which prevents rejection.

This is achieved by acting upon what Allah has commanded and abandoning whatever He has prohibited.

Abu Musa al-Ash'aree reported that the Prophet, peace be upon him said: "The parable of guidance and knowledge which Allah has sent me with is like a rain which fell on a land. A patch of that land received the water and produced much herbage and grass. And a patch which was barren. The latter retained water wherewith Allah extended benefits to men: they drank from it, irrigated and planted their vegetation. And a patch which was a sandy plain, it neither retained water nor produced herbage. This is parallel to the person who conceived the religion of Allah and benefited from the Message with which Allah has sent me, whereby he learns and taught others. The other person turned away from it (from my Message), and rejected the guidance of Allah with which I am sent.." Bukhari and Muslim.)

Allah says "Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad peace be upon him) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes in (the Meeting with) Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much."(33:21)

And Allah also says in Surah Al-Hashr

....And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad peace be upon him) gives you, take it, and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it) , and fear Allah. Verily, Allah is Severe in punishment. (59:7)

Again Allah says:

O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger (Muhammad peace be upon him), and those of you (Muslims) who are in authority. (And) if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger ( peace be upon him), if you believe in Allah and in the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination.(4:59)

And Allah says:

But no, by your Lord, they can have no Faith, until they make you (O Muhammad ) judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission.

In the next verse Allah again tells his Messenger

Say (O Muhammad peace be upon him): "Obey Allah and the Messenger (Muhammad peace be upon him)." But if they turn away, then Allah does not like the disbeliever's (3:32)

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]

Before Islam people in Arabia were dived into different tribes. Some of them were at constant war with each other, Islam came and Allah put peace and love in their hearts for each other.

Allah the Most High said: "And remember the favor of Allah upon you, for you were once enemies to one another but He joined your hearts together in love, so that by His Grace you became brothers." [Soorah Aal-Imraan 3:103]

And Allah the Most High said: "He it is that has strengthened you with His help and with the Believers. And moreover, He has united their hearts with love and affection. If you had spent all that is in the earth, you could not have united their hearts with love and affection. However, Allah has united them. Indeed Allah is the All-Mighty, All-Wise." [Soorah al-Anfaal 8:62- 63].

Allah has stated in the Holy Quran:

"... whoever disbelieves in false deities and believes in Allah, hath grasped the most trustworthy handhold, that will never break..." (2:256)

The Invalidators of Islam

You should know, dear Muslim brother/sister , that Allah made it obligatory upon all His slaves to enter Islam and hold on to it, and warned them against following other than Islam. He also sent His Prophet Muhammad to call mankind to it. Allah has informed us in the Quran that guided are those who follow the teachings of Islam, and misguided are those who reject them. He warned us in many Verses against the causes of apostasy and all forms of Shirk and disbelief Religious scholars have mentioned that there are a number of invalidators that are bound to take one out of the fold of Islam. For the sake of attaining salvation in the Hereafter, I have briefly cited in the following pages, with some explanation, the ten most critical of these invalidators so that you will avoid them and make others aware of them.

1 . To associate others with Allah in worship.

The Quran says:

"Allah forgives not (the sin of) setting up partners with Him in worship, but He forgives whom He pleases other sins than this." (Soorah 4: 1

"Whoever sets up partners with Allah in worship, Allah will forbid him Paradise, and the Fire will be his abode. For the wrongdoers there are no helpers." (Soorah 5:72)

Forms of worship include calling upon the dead, seeking their assistance, offering sacrifices to them, and taking vows in their names.

2. To set up intermediaries between oneself and Allah, seeking their intercession and putting absolute trust in them. Those who do so are unanimously considered disbelievers.

3. Not to accuse polytheists and those who commit Shirk of disbelief, to be in doubt as to their being disbelievers, or to approve of their beliefs.

4. To believe that the Prophet's guidance is not complete or perfect or that other people's ruling and judgment is better than his. Those who prefer the rule of false gods are blatant

5 . Those who hate anything that the Prophet came with are also disbelievers even if they act upon them. The Quran says:

"That is because they hate that which Allah sent down, so He has made their deeds fruitless." (Soorah 47:9)

6. Those who ridicule anything that Islam came with, such as punishment and reward in the Hereafter, are disbelievers. The Quran says:

"Say: 'Was it at Allah, and His Signs, and His Messenger, that you were mocking? Make no excuse; you have rejected Faith after you had accepted it." (9:65,66)

7. Magic in all its forms, including turning someone away from somebody that he or she loves, and making someone love someone or something he or she does not normally like. Whoever practices magic or approves of it is a disbeliever, as evidenced by the Quranic Verse that says:

"But neither of these (two angels) taught anyone (such things) without saying, We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us)." (Soorah 2:102)

8. To take the disbelievers for friends, give them support and assistance against the Muslims is an act of disbelief. The Quran says:

"And he amongst you that turns to them (for friendship) is of them. Verily Allah guides not a people unjust." (Soorah 5:51)

9. Those who believe that it is in their power or authority to for sake the law of Islam are disbelievers. The Quran says:

"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." (Soorah 3:85)

10. To turn away from Islam and to stubbornly refuse to learn its teachings or act upon them. The Quran says:

"And who does more wrong than he who is reminded of the Signs of his Lord, then he turns away there from? Verily from those who transgress We shall exact (due) retribution." (Soorah 32:22)

In all of these invalidators, there is no difference between one who does them jokingly, seriously, or in fear, except for one who is compelled against his will. All of these matters are most dangerous and most of them are occurring (amongst the Muslims). Therefore, it is necessary for the Muslim to beware of them and fear for himself concerning them. The fourth point mentioned above also includes those who believe that man-made laws are better than the Islamic Law, that the Islamic Law is not suitable to be implemented in the present century, that Islam is the reason behind Muslims' backwardness in some spheres of life, or that it is not applicable in other spheres of life apart from regulating one' s life with one's Lord. This point also includes those who believe that cutting off the thief's hand is a backward law that should not be implemented in the present-day society. It also includes those who believe that it is permissible to dispense with the Islamic Law in matters relating to the social life and the boundary limits for the lawful and the unlawful even if they do not believe that other laws are not better than the Islamic Law. For this means that they have made lawful what Allah had already made unlawful. Whoever makes lawful what Allah has declared unlawful, things that are known in religion by necessity such as adultery, drinking alcohol, usury and ruling with other than Allah's Law, is a disbeliever with the unanimous agreement of all Muslim scholars. We seek Allah's refuge from His painful chastisement as well as from those things that cause His wrath. Allah's Peace and Blessing be upon His Messenger, his pure family and noble Companions.

Summery

It is easy to become a Muslim. All a person has to do is declare

Shahadah can be declared as follows:

"ASH-HADU ANLA ELAHA ILLA-ALLAH WA ASH-HADU ANNA MOHAMMADAN RASUL-ALLAH".

The English translation is:

"I bear witness that there is no deity worthy to be worshiped but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger."

We have to consider that when we declare from our hearts, "there is no god worthy to be worshiped but Allah." It implies on our part of love, devotion, faith and obedience to the rules of Islamic legislation which are legally binding on all Muslims. It is a requirement of "there is no god worthy to be worshiped but Allah," to love for the sake of Allah and to reject for the sake of Allah. This is the finest anchor of belief which make material the meaning of "AL-WALA" and "AL-BARA". It means that a Muslim should love and be loyal to his Muslim brothers. He should, as a practice, dissociate himself completely from the practices of unbelievers and refuse to be influenced by them, both in worldly and religious matters.

When one truly believes that Islam is the true religion of God and that "there is no god worthy to be worshiped but Allah and Muhammad is His servant and Messenger." Then he or she should declare the Shahadah right away. He or she should not hesitate.

We are given a certain lifespan. We do not know when that life span will end. It may end this very minute even. Therefore a person should say the Shahadah and then work on becoming the best Muslim he or she can be.

Some of you will find some aspects of Islam difficult at first. For instance some new Muslim sisters find it difficult to wear Hijab at first. However with time they have eventually grown in their faith and are now wearing the full Islamic dress and encouraging even sisters born into Muslim families to wear full Islamic dress. Some were vegetarian before they became Muslim. Eating meat seemed impossible to them. Now after a few years they have started to even eat meat. Please do not worry about any barriers you may have. become Muslims and you will see those barriers crashing down as you grow in your religion.

However one should recognize that Islam requires a complete submission to the will of God. What Allah has told us do we should try to do and what Allah has told us not to do. We should not do.

At www.muslimconverts.com we will Allah willing help you as much as possible. So if you have any questions please do not hesitate to email us at info@muslimconverts.com

Now that you have said the Shahadah you are a Muslim.

Step 2 What to do once you have said the Shahadah

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