Faith is Simple, Seeing is believing !!! Part One

Seeking Islamic Knowledge

Before Embracing Islam . What To Do . What To Read / Learn
Now - Ready to Embrace Islam . Becoming Muslim
After Embracing Islam . What To Do . What To Read / Learn
Resources for before-now-after . Free Books . Lectures . Websites

Sahih Bukhari Vol 2 Book 23 #441
Narrated Abu Huraira

Allah's Apostle said, "Every child is born with a true faith of Islam (i.e. to worship none but Allah Alone) but his parents convert him to Judaism, Christianity or Magainism ... Then Abu Huraira recited the holy verses:

"The pure Allah's Islamic nature (true faith of Islam) (i.e. worshipping none but Allah) with which He has created human beings. No change let there be in the religion of Allah (religion of Allah: i.e. joining none in worship with Allah). That is the straight religion (Islam) but most of men know not." (30:30)

Before - What to Do

. Visit the mosque in your neighborhood and ask to be put in contact with a person who can help you learn about Islam and become your mentor/teacher

. Double check with your mentor all new information you gathered from other sources

. Remember that not every muslim is qualified to answer correctly all questions about Islam

. Get a free Quran and other free books on Islam ( see resources - books)

Before - What to Read / Learn

Do
. Read the Noble Quran
- for any Quran Translation -> be very careful and SEE warning
. Listen to Al Efasi or Al Ghamidi reciting the Quran
. Read about the muslim beliefs - Pillars of Faith - Pillars of Islam
. Read Books and Articles on Islaam - new
. Listen to lectures on Beliefs - Shahaadah - Islamic Topics - new
. Learn about Monotheism in Islam (Tawheed)
. Learn the meaning of the testimony of Faith (Shahaadah)
. Learn what negates the Shahaadah - Listen to lecture # 13 - new
. Learn how to evaluate the authenticity of any information
. Then, read only trusted sources of authentic Islam
. Visit the chat room "Understanding Islam", category "social issues" on paltalk voice chat --- everyone is welcome --- daily classes start at 3 pm Eastern time, 7 pm GMT --- Q&A period after lecture - new

Don't
. Don't surf and read all websites with the word Islam
. Don't accept information without checking the source
. Don't accept answers without references (daleel, proofs)
. Don't accept any answer just because someone says it is in the Quran or Hadeeth (if it is really there, then the person should give you the exact references)

Now - Becoming Muslim

. Only you know when you are ready to embrace Islam, don't let anyone else make that decision for you.

. Do not delay once you have decided to embrace Islam, say the testimony of Faith in both Arabic and in your mother tongue.
Ash-hadu an laa-ilaaha illal-laahu wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadar rasuulullaah
"I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta'aala), and I bear witness that Muhammad (sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam) is His Messenger."

. It is not obligatory to have someone witness your testimony but you can repeat the Shahaadah with a muslim helping you with the Arabic pronounciation

. If you take the Shahaadah at the mosque, you can ask for a written confirmation that you have taken the Shahaadah (this paper is not obligatory but might be useful one day, to get visa for Saudi Arabia for example)

. After saying the Shahaadah, take a shower and say your first prayer

. Changing your name is obligatory only if your present name has a meaning contrary to muslim beliefs. The great majority of new muslims do prefer choosing a new name. Some converts register the name change legally, others do not. List and meaning of Names for Sisters and Names for Brothers

After - What To Do

. Continue following the recommendations in the "before" section
. Keep in contact with a mentor/teacher
. Register for classes for new muslims, attend lectures

. Learn how to perform wudhu (ablution before prayer) - new
. Learn prayer: text/ audio site - transliteration / audio - info on prayers new
. Learn Al Fatiha and short surahs here, or here , or then here new
. Scroll down to " Prophet_Prayer_Al_Albanee.pdf"

. Why we pray in Arabic? Read this article

. Build up your own folders of favorite and trusted sites
. Become part of your muslim community, participate in the activities
. Find new friends among trusted members of the community
. Meet with other new sisters /brothers and support each other
. Follow Islamic guidelines when communicating with men/women

After - What To Read / Learn

. Continue following all what we recommended so far.
. Remember the points mentioned in Authenticity of Islamic Information
. Protect your faith: acquire a sound knowledge of Islam before satisfying your curiosity about deviant beliefs. Right now, visiting unreliable websites and reading about deviant beliefs would only lead to confusion: at one point you would not know anymore what is in Islam and what is out of Islam.

. Under the headings of "Resources", many websites are suggested
. The References List follows the same classification as "Islam Information Page". It provides fast access to essential information. It includes the majority of sites listed in "Resources".
. Islam Information Page presents links classified in 7 main categories and numerous sub-categories. It is a research tool for those seeking information on a variety of topics. Each category has a link for its own menu. Site Map gives you an overview of the contents of the whole website.

Resources - Free Books -

Arabic Language Resources - learn the alphabet
- download fonts - learn Arabic - read Arabic webpages
- learn the meaning of Islamic expressions

Articles and Books - check regularly for updates to the list -

Free Islamic Resources - prayer programs
- books - download - magazines - software

Resources - Audio Lectures - Books Online -

Audio - Recitation and Lectures

Audio Islam - extensive list of lectures on varied topics
Audio Lectures - Index - links classified by topics
Islamway.com - Quran - lectures - prayer
Transliteration for Prayer - learn prayer - audio / text - new
Transliteration for Quran - learn recitation - audio / text - new
Websites with Audio and Video - lectures/khutbah - radio/TV

Books/Articles to Read Online

Friday Khutub - islam1.org - 60+ Khutbah
- Islamic Centre of Raleigh - Imam Baianonie
Institute of Islamic Information and Education 30+pamphlets
Monotheism of Worship - Its Characteristics - Sheikh al Budayr
Muslim Beliefs - list of 105 tenets of Islam
The First and Final Commandment - from Christianity to Islam -
The Pillars of Eeman (Faith) - Shaykh Ibn al 'Uthaymeen
The Plain Truth - book written by a convert
The Pre-Requisites of the Shahaadah ( testimony of Faith)
What Negates One's Islam - what takes a muslim out of Islam

Resources - Websites -

- remember to read Authenticity of Islamic Information

Introduction to Islam
- for any Quran Translation -> be very careful and SEE warning
A Brief Illustrated Guide to Understanding Islam
Al Haramain Islamic Foundation - also offers free books
The True Religion - site also has a forum for non-muslims
Understand Islam - a new site presenting articles / audio on authentic Islam
Welcome Back To Islam - a site specially for converts

Islam for All
Al-Islam com - articles and audio
Ghuraba - forum and lectures
The Islamic Network - articles and audio
The Last Prophet of God - all about Muhammad (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam)
The Qur'an and Sunnah Society of North America
Understand-Islam net - articles - books - audio lectures

Links and References
Islamic Knowledge - classified links to other sites
The Sunnah Islamic Webpage - links to other sites