Conversion to Islam?

**SMichael** · 13-09-2007, 12:34 PM

I have been considering converting to Islam for a couple of weeks, but I haven't actually made the step. However, I have prayed at the mosque several times, and today, I actually performed Salat-al-'Asr at home. Since I said the Shahadah in the iqama and tashahud, does that make me a Muslim? I didn't intend to convert, and I didn't fulfil all the nine requirements of the shahadah.

Am I a Muslim? My niyah was not to convert, but does performing the prayer and saying the shahadah in the tashahud make me a Muslim? Do I have to make up all the prayers I missed since I recited the tashahud?

**abuhajira** · 13-09-2007, 12:58 PM

InshAllah a scholar here will answer you.. However whats stops you from attesting to the reality which your heart keeps telling you?

I pray for goodness of your.. Amin

**xs11ax** · 13-09-2007, 12:59 PM

salaam michael,

this question needs to be answered by a scholar so you may have to wait until someone checks the forum.

my initial reaction would be that since you did not have the intention to convert, then you have not converted, of course i could be wrong so please wait for a more qualified answer.

however, seeing that you are worried about your missed salaat, it shows that you already know the truth. if thats the case then dont hold yourself back. death could come a 100 years from now or in the next few seconds. take the shahadah and enter into the mercy of Allah my brother.

may Allah be pleased and protect you and all of the muslim ummah.

wasalaam

**SMichael** · 13-09-2007, 01:33 PM

The main (and pretty much only) thing stopping me is my girlfriend. She is a convert to Christianity from Hinduism and is preparing for baptism in the Orthodox Church. She has told me that she will not become Muslim and that if I convert our relationship will have to end. We had already agreed to get married, but Orthodox Christianity forbids Orthodox Christians marrying non-Orthodox. My girlfriend has been badly hurt in her past by her parents, and I am pretty much the only person she has to turn to for support, as her parents don't care about her. I could not leave her and hurt her even more. I love her with all my heart and I couldn't ever love anyone else. However, she doesn't know a lot about Islam, and it's entirely possible that she will convert if she finds out more about it.

**Yahya** · 13-09-2007, 02:45 PM

Originally Posted by SMichael

The main (and pretty much only) thing stopping me is my girlfriend. She is a convert to Christianity from Hinduism and is preparing for baptism in the Orthodox Church. She has told me that she will not become Muslim and that if I convert our relationship will have to end. We had already agreed to get married, but Orthodox Christianity forbids Orthodox Christians marrying non-Orthodox. My girlfriend has been badly hurt in her past by her parents, and I am pretty much the only person she has to turn to for support, as her parents don't care about her. I could not leave her and hurt her even more. I love her with all my heart and I couldn't ever love anyone else. However, she doesn't know a lot about Islam, and it's entirely possible that she will convert if she finds out more about it.

If you did not intend to enter Islam, then saying the Shahadah did not make you a Muslim.

If you think that Islam is correct, then I urge you embrace Islam immediately by saying the Shahadah WITH the intention of entering Islam. Perhaps your girlfriend will eventually accept the fact that you are a Muslim. You could also explain to her that the Islamic Law permits Muslim men to marry Christian women. So even though the Orthodox church is standing in the way, the two of you could be married Islamically with no problem.

But in the end, remember that this life is short, and the next life has no end. The pain that you might spare yourself now by appeasing her is NOTHING compared to the pain you will be GUARANTEEING yourself forever. There is a time to be selfless and compassionate to others. But there is also a time to be compassionate and responsive to yourself.

Accept Islam, and God willing, she will still accept you.

**SMichael** · 13-09-2007, 10:30 PM

The main concern that my girlfriend has is that if I convert to Islam, we won't be able to hang out together alone at our houses. She is very shy, she doesn't really have any other friends, and I'm all that she's got. Her parents have hurt her a lot throughout her life, and I'm not going to hurt her even more by becoming Muslim and us having to break up.

Question: If we both converted to Islam, could we get married the same day? I have heard that there is such a thing as 'katbul kitab' where the couple gets married but they don't consummate the marriage and live together. That would seem to work really well for us. If only she would accept Islam......but she's agreed to watch a video with me where Brother Shabir Ally talks about the mathematical miracles in the Holy Qur'an.

**Yahya** · 14-09-2007, 12:56 AM

Originally Posted by SMichael

The main concern that my girlfriend has is that if I convert to Islam, we won't be able to hang out together alone at our houses. She is very shy, she doesn't really have any other friends, and I'm all that she's got. Her parents have hurt her a lot throughout her life, and I'm not going to hurt her even more by becoming Muslim and us having to break up.

Question: If we both converted to Islam, could we get married the same day? I have heard that there is such a thing as 'katbul kitab' where the couple gets married but they don't consummate the marriage and live together. That would seem to work really well for us. If only she would accept Islam......but she's agreed to watch a video with me where Brother Shabir Ally talks about the mathematical miracles in the Holy Qur'an.

Yes, if you both convert, you may get married immediately if you choose. Once married, it is entirely up to you how you want to proceed. If you want, you may move in together, but you don't have to. If you want, you may consummate, or you may choose to wait (as long as you want).

**Gajibur** · 13-09-2007, 02:44 PM

Originally Posted by SMichael

I have been considering converting to Islam for a couple of weeks, but I haven't actually made the step. However, I have prayed at the mosque several times, and today, I actually performed Salat-al-'Asr at home. Since I said the Shahadah in the iqama and tashahud, does that make me a Muslim? I didn't intend to convert, and I didn't fulfil all the nine requirements of the shahadah.

Am I a Muslim? My niyah was not to convert, but does performing the prayer and saying the shahadah in the tashahud make me a Muslim? Do I have to make up all the prayers I missed since I recited the tashahud?

Assalamu alaykum (Peace be unto you) brother SMichael

I think (but i'm not sure) you need to declare your shahadah in front of muslims so that they can be witness to your conversion, only then is the conversion accepted. Also you didn't intend to convert so i don't think you would be considered a muslim. However, it is best to ask an islamic scholar about all of this. Why don't you go to this link and ask an imam your question:

http://www.askimam.org/

or you can go on Google search and type in 'Ask imam', then select the first link.

As for your girlfriend, you should try to teach her about Islam or tell her what made you feel like converting. But if she doesn't convert and she tries to stop you from converting, then it is better for your soul that you convert. Ask yourself what matters most, God and his true religion or some girlfriend and certain hellfire. I am not trying to scare you but that is just the way it is and i'm sure you know this as well.