After some research into the religion of Islam, I have come to the conclusion that I truly believe the statement La ilaha il Allah, Muhammad-ur-Rasool-Allah (None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah), but I have so much more to learn including the prayers, when should I give the Shahada?
The shahada should not be delayed; it should be given as soon as possible. The reason for this is we do not know when our time to die is. Therefore you do not want to die as a non-believer. This step is the one that will protect you from the everlasting punishment of Hell and opens to you the path to Heaven after death and will result in success and happiness in this life and the hereafter. We advise you to hasten with your decision and do not hesitate and don't postpone it. Everything else will follow inshaAllah (if Allah wills). [Back to top]
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If I become a Muslim will I need to change my name?
No, you are not required to change your name unless it embodies the worship of someone or something other than Allah. Thus, if one’s name is Abdul-Messiah (slave of messiah) or similar such names, then you are obliged to change it. If the original name does not compromise or imply anything forbidden in Islam, then you are permitted to retain it for example: George, Mary, Adam, David.
NOTE: If changing one’s name in official documents and records poses inconvenience, it would suffice to change it among the people. In this case you would be called by your new name by your family, friends and the general public. [back to top]
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I believe Islam is the true religion but I don't know any Muslims and I am scared to approach a
mosque, is there anyone available to help me?
Yes there is a lot of organizations that are set up to help and teach new reverts (non-Muslims
who come back to Islam) about Islam, you can contact Islam-Australia by phone (0419953431) or E-mail info@islam-australia.net and they will put you in contact with the right people closest to
you. [back to top]
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Someone told me that Muslims can't have a relationship with non-Muslims, is this true? All my
family are Non-Muslim and I don't want to cut ties with my family.
That is not true, we are encouraged in Islam to keep ties with our family and to be good to our
parents. Allah states in the Qur’an: {And We have enjoined on man to be good and dutiful to his
parents; but if they strive to make you join with me(in worship) anything (as a partner) of which
you have no knowledge, then obey them not. Unto Me is your return and I shall tell you what you
used to do}(C29:V8)
Also Allah revealed another verse in the Qur’an,
But if they (both) strive with you to make you join in worship with Me others that of which you
have no knowledge, then obey them not; but behave with them in the world kindly, and follow the
path of him who turns to me in repentance and obedience. Then to me will be your return, and I
shall tell you what you used to do.(C31:V15)
It is very important in Islam to be good to one’s parents and to remember that their disbelief
does not justify disobedience by the son or daughter and that doing them good does not contradict
with your innocence of them as non believers, on the contrary as it is stated in C31:V15 above,
Allah has commanded us to treat the non believing parents kindly even if they strive to make
their child a polytheist because of their rights as parents hoping that they will embrace Islam. [back to top]
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Does a new Muslim have to separate from his wife, if she doesn’t accept Islam? Should his
children from her be considered as Muslims? Does he have to change their names to Muslim names?
It is permitted to stay married to her if she is a Jew or Christian, in accordance with the
statement of Allah, the Exalted:
“And chaste women from the People of the Book (are lawful for you).” (C5:V5)
A chaste woman is one who does not have illicit sex, guarding thereby her own honor and that of
her husband. However, if she is a Buddhist or a Hindu, he has no (legal) right to stay married to
her except if she accepts Islam during her Iddah, in which case the marriage remains valid.
Iddah is the waiting period a divorced woman or a widow observe before she can remarry. It is the
duration of three menstrual periods or delivery if pregnant. In case of divorce and if the
divorce is revocable, the couple may resume their life after reconciliation within the Iddah but
with a new Mahr (jointure) and marriage. The husband has a three times to divorce and after the
third he cannot return her back till she gets married to another person. If the later divorces
her, it becomes lawful to the former.
As for the children, they should follow the better of their two parents in religion. So if the
mother accepts Islam, but her husband refuses, they should follow her in religion. Likewise, if
the father accepts Islam, but the mother refuses, the children should follow the Muslim father.
This rule applies to the children who have not reached maturity. After maturity, the choice is up
to them, since they are responsible for themselves. They would not be considered s Muslims based
on the Islam of one of their parents, until they accept Islam themselves, like any other adult.
As for the changing the names of those who accept Islam among them, or who are classified Muslims
in accordance with the Islam of one of their parents, the issue is same as for adults, as has
already been discussed. [back to top]
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I am a working woman and I am scared to put on the scarf as I may lose my job, is there any law
to protect me in Australia?
Everyone in Australia has the right to a fair go. This means no discrimination, harassment or
vilification in many areas of public life. Discrimination means treating someone unfairly because
they happen to belong to a particular group of people It is generally against the law to treat
you unfairly, or harass you, because of:
* your race, colour, nationality, descent, ethnic or ethno-religious background, or
* because of the race, colour, nationality, descent, ethnic or ethno-religious background of
any of your relatives, friends or work colleagues.
For further information you can contact the anti discrimination board at:
http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/adb [back to top]
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Presently I am a single woman and I hope to marry a practicing Muslim in the future but I don't
want to be in a polygamous marriage, do I have any rights to stop that from happening?
Allah has made it lawful for a man to marry up to four wives at any one time Allah states in the
Qur’an:
"If you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, marry women of your
choice, two or three or four; but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with
them, then only one" (C4:V3).
You may write in your marriage contract as a condition that you would not want your future
husband to take a second wife as long as you are married to him, but you should know that he
still has the right to marry another wife (because we cannot change what Allah has made lawful)
but he will be breaking the condition in the marriage contract and will be punished for that. [back to top]
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Do men and/or women have to wear a head covering and what colours and styles of clothing are we
able to wear? What exactly are the requirements of modest dress in Islam?
Women do have to cover their heads because Allah has commanded them to, Allah States in the Qur’
an:
“O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their
cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (i.e. screen themselves completely except the eyes or one
eye to see the way). That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women)
so as not to be annoyed. And Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
This Verse clearly states that it is obligatory to cover all of a woman’s beauty and adornments
and not to display any part of that before non-mahram men (“strangers”) except for whatever
appears unintentionally (hands and face), in which case there will be no sin on them if they
hasten to cover it up. The clothing should be of loose fitting, it should not be an adornment in
and of itself (bright colours or decorated) because if it is it will attract men’s attention to
her, it should be thick and not transparent or see-through because it cannot cover properly
otherwise It should be loose, not tight so that it describes any part of the body.
As for men they are not required to cover their heads but are required to dress modestly.
[back to top]
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I heard that it is obligatory to attend Jumu'ah Prayer on Friday, what happens if my employer
doesn't give me the time off to attend?
You have the right to ask your employer for time off for your Jumu’ah Prayer on Friday. The
Jumu’ah Prayer usually lasts about 45minutes to 1 hour in which case you could use your lunch
break.
[back to top]
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I heard that Muslims only eat meat that is slaughtered in the correct manner, I live in a small
town where there are no Halal Butchers, will I have to be vegetarian?
It is permitted to eat the meat slaughtered by Jews and Christians, as long as it is not known to
be killed in contradiction to the instructions of Islamic Law*. That is because the basic
assumption is that the meat of animals they slaughter is lawful, just like that slaughtered by a
Muslim in accordance with the statement of Allah:
"This day are (all) things good and pure made lawful unto you. The food of the People of the Book
(Christians and Jews) is lawful unto you and yours is lawful unto them.” (C5:V5)
* There are two major requirements in the method of slaughter:
The throat, including the windpipe, esophagus and at least one of the major arteries must be cut
with a knife – the sharper, the better.
The name of Allah should be pronounced at the time of the slaughter.
[back to top]
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I feel blessed that Allah has lead me to Islam but when I mentioned that I think I will become a
Muslim to my friends they said that if I do become Muslim then I won't be anymore friend of
theirs. I feel I will be very much alone, is there any kind of support group available?
Don’t be pressured by your friends. Know that one of the rules of Islam is that you should love
Allah and His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon Him), and that love for Allah
should take priority over love for anyone else. Allah States in the Qur’an;
“Say: If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your kindred, the wealth that you
have gained, the commerce in which you fear a decline, and the dwellings in which you delight are
dearer to you than Allah and His Messenger, and striving hard and fighting in His Cause, then
wait until Allah brings about His Decision (torment). And Allah guides not the people who are Al
-Fasiqoon (the rebellious, disobedient to Allah)” [C9:V24]
And know that you will not be alone, you can contact Islam-Australia and they will put you in
contact with a support group in your area.
[back to top]
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I am a white Australian, will born Muslims accept me?
Islam is the religion for all of mankind, no matter what their colour, land, tribe or language
etc. There is no superiority of anyone over anyone else in Islam, except in terms of taqwa
(piety, consciousness of Allah). Allah states in the Qur’an;
“O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes,
that you may know one another. Verily, the most honorable of you with Allah is that (believer)
who has al-taqwa (i.e., is one of the muttaqoon – the pious). Verily, Allah is All-Knowing, All-
Aware.” (C49:V13)
In His wisdom, Allah has made mankind into different peoples and tribes so that they may know one
another, not so that they may despise one another. He tells us that the differences in colour and
languages are a sign of His greatness and power in creation. Allah States in the Qur’an:
“And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the difference of your
languages and colours. Verily, in that are indeed signs for men of sound knowledge.” (C30:V22)
The Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) affirmed the
prohibition of racial discrimination and of despising coloured people, when he said in his famous
speech: “O people, your Lord is One and your father (i.e., Adam) is one. There is no superiority
of the Arab over the non-Arab or of the non-Arab over the Arab or of the red over the black, or
of the black over the red – except with regard to taqwa.” (Reported by Imam Ahmad, 22391)
[back to top]
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I truly wish to become a Muslim but I have lived a life filled with all kinds of self destructive
behaviour and immorality, will God ever forgive me?
Your Lord is Most Merciful; He accepts repentance and forgives all sins. His Mercy encompasses
all things. He calls you and all His slaves to repent and to become Muslim. He has promised you,
through the words of His Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), that all
of your previous sins, major and minor, of whatever type, will be wiped out completely when you
become Muslim, and you will start with a clean sheet, a new record of deeds that is free of bad
deeds. Allah states in the Qur’an:
‘Say: “O ‘Ibaadi (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds
and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah, verily, Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is
Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
And turn in repentance and in obedience with true Faith (Islamic Monotheism) to your Lord and
submit to Him (in Islam) before the torment comes upon you, (and) then you will not be helped.
And follow the best of that which is sent down to you from your Lord (i.e. this Qur’aan, do what
it orders you to do and keep away from what it forbids), before the torment comes on you suddenly
while you perceive not!” (C39:V53-55) [back to top]
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Years ago I embraced Islam but later returned to the religion of my upbringing due to family
pressure, can I say my Shahada again or am I a lost cause?
Every human makes mistakes and by saying the shahada again sincerely InshaAllah it will be
accepted. Allah states in the Qur’an:
“The revelation of the Book (this Qur’aan) is from Allah, the All Mighty, the All Knower. The
Forgiver of sin, the Acceptor of repentance, the Severe in punishment, the Bestower (of favours).
Laa ilaaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), to Him is the final return”
(C40:V2-3)
[back to top]
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I work in an industry that is considered Haram (forbidden); do I need to find another job?
We would like to avoid answering this question in general. If you are in this situation, email
info@islam-australia.net the details regarding the industry and your involvement in it and Islam
-Australia will organise a response to those details. [back to top]
