Why I haven't taken Shahada

[Muhammad_786]

Many thanks to you and the others that have pointed this out, I hadn't thought about it from this perspective, and I suppose it makes a big difference to the way I have approached it.

Aside from the haraam aspects of my life that I mentioned, what about the part where I spoke of conflict in beliefs that are keeping me from full literal belief in some things?

I really appreciate the support and advice I have been given here, but to be honest, I find it a little surprising. Given the apparent hatred I've seen between various Muslim sects, I got the impression that there wasn't much tolerance for people like me who are clearly not living life in accordance with Allah's (SWT) teachings.

Thank you, though I think it may be part of the problem here. When I take Shahada, it must be completely sincere, and for that to be the case, I must at least have a clear understanding of the commitments involved.

Most of that hatred is emotional stuff not anything related to what the angels will be asking us in the grave about. Thus I wouldn't let that put me off (I am also a revert.) I don't really care whether my fellow brethren are intolerant of my beliefs or not as only Allaah (SWT) knows best who's right and who's wrong. Plus if you follow a scholar and that scholar is misguided in his beliefs the blame (sin) is on him not on you.

[amr123]

Thank you, though I think it may be part of the problem here. When I take Shahada, it must be completely sincere, and for that to be the case, I must at least have a clear understanding of the commitments involved.

What revert2001 mentioned above is true. Also as soon as you accept Islam it will be much more easier for you to learn more about Islam.
Look at me, I was born into a Muslim family, I am a Muslim, but still everyday I learn something new in Islam and I m sure I will learn new things till I die . That is the beauty of Islam. More we learn, our thirst increases and more Islam has to offer.

May Allah make it easy for you bro.

[abdulwahhab]

السلام على من اتبع الهدى
Peace be upon those who follow the Guidance

Many Muslims are anything but saints. We gamble, drink alcohol, indulge in fornication, eat prohibited foods, use illegal drugs, don't perform our prayers, etc. but what makes a Muslim isn't the fact that he is doing all these wrongs; it's the fact that he has faith in Allah and realizes that these things he is doing are wrong. As long as that realization is there, it is a sign that one fears Allah . Don't let matters pertaining to deeds keep you from taking the shahadah. When Islam came to the pagans of Makkah, it didn't come with the rules and regulations that we have now. Those rules and regulations were gradually revealed as the faith of the Muslims strengthened. Even alcohol was not outright banned and many early Muslims drank alcohol until the prohibition and some had even died before the prohibition was put in effect yet will be granted paradise.

Many Muslims will watch movies and listen to music but they'll tell you that these things are not permissible. That is why a lot of Muslims who listen to music and watch movies all year round will give pause and won't do it in Ramadhan during their fasts. A lot of Muslims who don't pray except every Friday suddenly pray 5 times a day in Ramadhan. Does that mean that the prayers outside of Ramadhan are not obligatory upon them? Of course it is and they realize it and that keeps them Muslim.

Even things that you may find hard to understand in the Qur'an can be easily clarified once you get in touch with scholars. Avoid the satans that plague the internet and sit down and discuss any issue you have with scholars after your conversion. As Muslims, we can tell you that there is nothing in the Qur'an that contradicts science, especially since science is never absolute and always changing, whereas the Qur'an is eternal and absolute. So, do not let yourself be held back from the shahadah because of what you understand a particular verse says or what you understand what science currently states on a particular issue. An analogy that we can see is that sometimes, when we go to a doctor, he may prescribe us a drug or a therapy that goes contrary to what we have read online or heard from a friend. The doctor would have a holistic knowledge about your condition and would thus prescribe you based on this but if we take things individually and out of context, we may end up in a worse state than before. Similarly, a scholar would be able to explain the verses of the Qur'an using a holistic approach, which would include ahadeeth, history, culture, etc. to clarify the meaning and how a verse is understood, especially since Arabic is a very nuanced language and any criticism that is leveled at an English "Qur'an" is usually at its quality of translation.

You can become a Muslim and still keep your dogs, listen to music, deal in interest - but God-willing when you work on your imaan (faith) as a Muslim, your a'maal (deeds) will follow. Many converts do not instantly become the most pious person on earth. For example, many woman-converts do not wear the hijab as soon as they convert and may not do so for months to years, even though it is obligatory and is a direct commandment found in the Qur'an and they know they have to wear it, which they do once their imaan has reached a certain level. This even applies to many born-Muslims as well, who live a life of extreme sin but one day, they realize their mistake, another day they realize they have to better themselves, another day they may come up with a plan, another day they may put that plan into action, and so on. An example is that many Muslims who are born into a less practicing family may learn more about their religion and then gradually start to become more religious, such as start to pray 5 times a day, start to avoid movies and music, start to avoid backbiting, start to avoid dealing in interest, etc. But all these things take time for many people so don't let any of those hurdles you have listed from stopping you.

[Revert2001]

Justwanttolearn,

Don't get hung up on the cigarette issue.

I know many brothers who smoke.

Although, it's a bad habit, and detrimental to your health long term.

It is not Haram (forbidden) but just Makrooh (disliked)

One obstacle cleared...........

[amr123]

@justwantolearn

bro, none of the above brothers mean that its ok to sin, or that you can be lax in these matters.
They are implying the fact that even if someone sins, there is a 'chance' of repentance.
But for disbelief the only chance is to accept Islam.

[Amna4]

@Justwanttolearn -
I waited until I was comfortable with the knowledge I had on Islam. I took Shahada as soon as I personally understood the commitment I was making, not when I felt that I was the epitome of Islamic purity. I feel from your original post, that you DO understand the commitment of Islam.

Allah does not require us to be perfect. If he wanted us to be perfect, he would have made us that way, as the Angels. He gave us free will to choose. What counts is our efforts to become perfect, not actually being perfect. Take your Shahada brother, Allah will continue to guide you in your efforts.

Allahu alaam.

[Incognito1]

Salam,
Allah SWT is saying something to you directly in this aayah:

Say: "O my Servants who have transgressed against their souls! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah: for Allah forgives all sins: for He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (53) "Turn ye to your Lord (in repentance) and bow to His (Will), before the Penalty comes on you: after that ye shall not be helped. (54)" [Chapter 39, Verse 53-54]

Allah SWT is not addressing those who have eeman, Allah SWT is addressing all His servants which includes Hindus, Christians, Jews, Atheists, Antagonists etc.
Allah SWT doesn't say Oh you people, Allah SWT says "O MY servants!"
Can't you feel the love of your Lord?
Although He is addressing everyone including the Kuffar, and Allah SWT is saying " My servants".
He is saying that you belong to Him, Allah SWT is saying that you are MINE. What has despaired you?? What is that??
Then Allah SWT says He forgives all the sins. Anything you did. All includes all. Nothing left out.
Beloved brother, what are these things that you are worried about? Dogs, Smoking etc.

Nabi Kareem Salallahu alihe wasallam said that there was a pr*stitute from the Bani Israel, she fetched one dog water who was about to die. Allah SWT opened paradise for that pr*stitute on account of that deed.

[Incognito1]

Thank you, though I think it may be part of the problem here. When I take Shahada, it must be completely sincere, and for that to be the case, I must at least have a clear understanding of the commitments involved.

Salam,
Brother this Niyyah (intention) is all you need. Nabi Kareem Salallahu Alehe Wasallam said:

"No one of you will enter Paradise by his deeds alone." They asked, "Not even you, O Messenger of Allah?" He said, "Not even me, unless Allah covers me with His Grace and Mercy"

[saqfu]

brother justwanttolearn i have just seen u mention that dogs are considered impure in islam. according to my knowledge dogs are not impure in islam it is only their saliva that is impure not their bodies. the reason islam does not allow us to keep dogs is because ther is harm in them. it could be that in their saliva their are germs and other impurities and their faeces carry germ that can lead to blindness. i know of a toddler mentioned in local newspaper here in bradford who has lost her sight because she accidently fell on dog faeces and rubbed her eyes straight away.

brother are you from south korea by ay chance

[Timur786]

brother you going in to Islamic law which is Irrelevant right now. First thing is Shahada which is relevant right now, after that comes basic Islamic practice. Its like your saying I wanna become Islamic scholar first then I will belief, the logic its self is flaw.
"Know that the first duty incumbent upon whoever becomes a Muslim is to know and believe the meaning of the utterance There is no god but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of God, which he pronounces with his tongue, understands in his soul, and believes so that he entertains no doubt about it. When he has believed and his soul is established firmly upon (that belief)-so that no doubt can touch it- it is sufficient as the basis of being a Muslim. Knowing it with evidence and proof is an individual duty incumbent upon every Muslim. The Prophet (S) did not command the Arabs to seek proofs, to study theology, or to look for doubts and the replies to them; rather, he was content with belief and faith. More is not appropriate for the degree of the common folk." The Alchemy of Happiness, Hujat Al-Islam Abu Hamid Muhammad Ghazzali Tusi, Volume 1