Some people see Islam as part of the Arab culture, but in truth less than 20% of Muslims are Arab. Islam is a culture in itself. Millions of Arabs are Christian and although they share many similarities with Arab Muslims they also have many different traditions as well. To become Muslim is not to become an Arab. So why does Islam appear Arab to so many people? The main reason is the Muslim’s holy book, “The Qur’an”. It was revealed in Arabic, hence why the Arabic language is seen as important to Muslims both Arab and non-Arab. The Qur’an has been translated in many different languages in recent years including English; however, it is virtually impossible to translate one language into another without losing some of its deeper meaning. That is the main reason why non-Arab Muslims continue to learn some Arabic; it has nothing to do with the notion that being an Arab is superior in Islam or with wanting to be Arab. (Many families of reverts (converts) feel their child is embarrassed by their ethnic group and/or need to become like an Arab). The word Islam means Submission, so without knowing what is asked of us how can we submit. The translation does give the ability for the non Arabic speaking majority to generally understand what Almighty God commands us to do; however the added knowledge of some Arabic just deepens the understanding. Many people would have seen video clips of Muslim children reciting the Qur’an in Arabic. Learning to recite the Qur’an in Arabic is important, it is more imperative to understand the meaning than have the ability to recite. Seeking knowledge is an obligation on all Muslims and is in fact seen as an act of worship to Almighty God. Another important reason why Muslims use Arabic is to give all Muslims a sense of unity. We all greet each other with Assalaamu Alaikum (Peace be upon you), we all praise Almighty God by saying Alhamdulillah (All praise is due to Allah) and we all call Almighty God by the name Allah (literally The God). This however shouldn’t be seen as becoming an Arab. Becoming Muslim isn’t trading one ethnic group for another, you cannot change your ethnic group nor should you. As a Muslim we accept that there are no superior ethnic groups, no better colour to be, we are all equal. Plain and simple.
Sometimes Islam is called the Straight Path. Why is this?
The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him) is recorded to have said the following to describe what Allah means by the straight path.
‘Allah has set an example: a straight path that is surrounded by two walls on both sides, with several open doors within the walls covered with curtains. There is a caller on the gate of the Straight Path who heralds O People! Stay on the path and do not deviate from it. Meanwhile, a caller from above the path is also warning any person who wants to open any of these doors, ‘Woe onto you! Do not open it, for if you open it you will pass through. The Straight Path is Islam; the two walls are Allah’s set limits, while the doors resemble what Allah has prohibited.’
The key to Allah’s commands is that what is permissible is sufficient, while what is forbidden is superfluous. Allah wants us to follow his commandments, however he has also given us the free will to make our own choices. There is no compulsion to surrender to his will. Plainly though, doing so, is in our own best interests.
Many people are drawn to Islam by its simplicity, there is only one God and all that is needed is to submit to his will, which is written in the Holy Qur’an. But is it that simple?
To be a Muslim you must believe in the following:
Articles of Faith
One God without partners, God has no gender, weakness, or deficiency. He is not part of creation; he is the creator and hence cannot be part of creation. There is no such thing as God incarnate in Islam.
Angels – Creations of God, with no free will.
Prophets – all of them, to deny any prophet is to put oneself outside of the religion of Islam. They were individuals who received revelation from God and conveyed it to the people. They were to serve as living practical examples of how to submit to Gods will. Twenty five prophets are listed in the Quran, Adam, Enoch (Idris), Noah, Hud, Salih, Abraham, Lot, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob (Yaqub), Joseph (Yusuf), Moses (Musa), Aaron, Jethro (Shu’ayb), Job, Ezekiel, David, Solomon, Elias, Elisha, Jonah, Zachariah, John the Baptist (Yahya), Jesus (Eesa) and Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon them all).
Scriptures – A Muslim must believe in every scripture mentioned by God in the Quran. Muslims however do not believe that the previous scriptures are in their original revealed form, more of a mix of man-made editions or deletions to the original divine text. The scriptures mentioned in the Qur’an are as follows: Scrolls of Abraham (pbuh), Torah as revealed to Moses (pbuh), Psalms as revealed to David (pbuh) and the Gospel revealed to Jesus (pbuh) and finally the Qur’an revealed to Muhammad (pbuh). The Israelite accounts and stories are only used as supporting evidence, not as evidence by themselves.
The Day of Judgment – the physical resurrection of the body, eternal life, Heaven and Hell.
Divine Decree – Nothing happens in creation except by Gods power, His will and His knowledge.
Human Free Will – this does not contradict with Gods absolute sovereignty. God’s knowledge of a person’s future decision does not mean that person is being forced to make that decision.
How to become a Muslim?
There are nine prerequisites before declaring the statement (Shahadah) that enters you into the religion of Islam.
The First is KNOWLEDGE – Knowledge of the Articles of Faith is absolutely necessary.
The Second is CERTAINTY – Having no doubts in the truth of the Quran and all the beliefs relating to it.
The Third is ACCEPTANCE – Your Shahadah is unconditional, you have to accept all the commands not just take those that are convenient to you.
The Fourth is COMPLIANCE – Performing the Five Pillars of Islam, Shahadah (belief), praying five times a day, fasting the month of Ramadhan, paying Zakat (Charity), and if possible going to Hajj.
The Fifth is HONESTY – Saying the Shahadah truthfully, the declaration is serious, not a joke.
The Sixth is SINCERITY – Doing it solely for the sake of Allah, you must not do it just to please someone.
The Seventh is LOVE – Loving Allah more than anything else.
The Eighth is DENY EVERY OTHER OBJECT OF WORSHIP –
And he who rejecteth false deities and believeth in Allah hath grasped a firm handhold which will never break. (Quran Chapter 2 Verse 256)
The Ninth is UNTIL DEATH
O ye who believe! Observe your duty to Allah with right observance, and die not save as those who have surrendered (unto Him). (Quran Chapter 3 Verse 102)
In every prayer we recite the Shahadah, so in practice we are affirming our faith and all that it means, multiple times a day. It isn’t enough to be born into a Muslim family, to be a Muslim means to submit which is a verb (a doing word) which means putting that faith into practice.
To become a Muslim you must declare
La ilaha il Allah, Muhammad-ur-Rasool-Allah (None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah),
Embracing Islam is great a moment in your life and that is only the beginning of wonderful experiences on your journey on the ‘Straight Path’.
