Questions Waver in the Chest of New Muslims
- From: "Islam Will Replace Collapsing Amerikan Empire" <islam_to_replace_amerikan_empire@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 31 May 2006 09:56:54 -0400
Questions Waver in the Chest of New Muslims
There is a very important starting-point for new Muslim, which is to
pronounce the Shahaadatayn (Declaration of Faith).
All that is required of you to embrace this religion right now as you are
reading these lines is to pronounce al-shahaadatain, or the two
confirmations and attestations of faith, to the best of your ability.
Perfect pronunciation of the Arabic letters is not required, and the
following is a transliteration of the phrases with English letters to help
you:
ash-hadu an laa ilaahah illallaah (I bear witness and attest that there is
no god worthy of worship but the One God Allaah) ash-hadu anna
muhammad-ar-rasool ullaah (I bear witness and attest that Muhammad is the
messenger of Allaah)
After pronouncing them, you should promptly hasten to take a shower to
purify yourself and prepare to start performing your regular prayers which
will be an obligation as soon as you have declared your belief.
If you have not yet learned the manner and characteristics of performing the
prayer (i.e. at least the movements and positions), appended to this message
is a description from which you can learn. What is requried from you for the
time being is to say in the beginning of the prayer and between each
movement between positions "Allaahu ak-bar" (a glorification of Allaah).
While standing, bowing, prostrating, and sitting, you should say "subhaan
allaah wal-hamdu lillaah wa-laa ilaaha illallaahu wallaahu akbar." (Glory be
to Allaah, and praise and thanks be to Allaah, and there is no god but
Allaah, and Allaah is the most Exalted and Great.) Then conclude the prayer
by turning your head to the right then left, each time saying "as-salaamu
alaikum."
This way of performing salaat is permissible for you until you can learn and
memorize what should be said in each movement and position of the salaat.
Changing One's Name
As for changing your name, you are not required to change it, but if your
name has pagan origins it is sufficient to choose an Islamic first name and
to keep your father's name or surname, because the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allah be upon him) did not command the Sahaabah to change their
fathers' and grandfathers' names when they embraced Islam. However, he did
change the first names of those who had names with forbidden or undesirable
meanings.You should keep the rest of your name and surname as it is; this
will please your parents.
you are not required to change your name unless it embodies the worship of
someone or something other then God, Allah. However, its amelioration by
choosing a new Islamic name is legitimate and encouraged. The fact that he
or she would change his or her name from a pagan or non-Islamic name to an
Islamic one would be considered commendable--however, it is not mandatory.
Thus, if one's name is Abdul-Messiah, for example, or similar such names,
then he is obligated to change it, as the Prophet (peace upon him) had
people with the names Abdul-Ka'bah and Abdul-Uzzah change their names upon
accepting Islam.
If the original name does not comprise or imply anything forbidden in Islam,
then he or she is permitted to retain it (such as the name George, for
example). As noted, though, it is preferable to change it to an Islamic
name, as this also distinguishes him or her from the kuffaar.
Note that if changing one's name in official documents and records poses a
great inconvenience, it would suffice to change it among the people. In this
case, he or she is called by his or her new name by friends, acquaintances,
and the general public, while official documents would retain the original
given name.
Circumcision of Males
As for circumcision, if it does not cause you harm, you can have it
performed by a surgeon who's experience and skill you trust. If it would
cause you harm, then you don't have to do it and that will not adversely
affect your Islam, In Shaa'a Allah (Allah Willing).
Useful links
http://www.studying-islam.org/index.aspx
Discover Islam
http://islamonline.net/English/Discover_Islam/index.shtml
.
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